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The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel
The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.
Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.
He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.
The men were necessary to each other.
As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.
Line 2
Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.
Line 3
He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.
Line 4
The men were necessary to each other.
Line 5
As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

Learner Dictionary

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

Albeit conjunction US /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/

although

From this reading “As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading “Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

achieved

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

albeitconjunctionUS /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/

although

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

all

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

awkward

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

bound

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

carried

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

certain

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

commissions

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

dangerous

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

deemed

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

delicate

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

distinction

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The men were necessary to each other.

entrusted

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

former

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

invaluable

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

LongnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

man

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

many

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

master

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

men

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

From this reading The men were necessary to each other.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

Mr

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

necessary

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

From this reading The men were necessary to each other.

number

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

observed

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

other

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

From this reading The men were necessary to each other.

out

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

possessor

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

proved

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

qualities

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

revelation

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

Richards

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

satisfaction

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

secrets

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

servant

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

service

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

silent

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

somewhat

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

strong

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

Temple

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

Temple's

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He found the man invaluable, and had entrusted to him many delicate commissions, all of which had been carried out to his satisfaction.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

tie

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

useful

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As the possessor of secrets the revelation of which, in former years, might have proved awkward, the master was bound to his servant by a strong, albeit somewhat dangerous tie.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The men were necessary to each other.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Long before Mr. Temple had achieved distinction, he had observed in this man certain qualities which he deemed might be useful to him; and he took Richards into his service.

years

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

From this reading Richards, a secret silent man, had been in Mr. Temple's service for a great number of years.