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

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.
Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.
She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.
It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.
She had no real love for Ned Chester.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Duchess of Rosemary Lane: A Novel

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.
Line 2
Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.
Line 3
She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.
Line 4
It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.
Line 5
She had no real love for Ned Chester.

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 “She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.”

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading “Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

absent

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

acquainted

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

act

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

almost

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

become

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

chance

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

Chester

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

From this reading She had no real love for Ned Chester.

communicated

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

courage

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

day

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

Duchess

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

Duchess's

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

Dumbrick

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

excitement

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

failed

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

fear

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

flight

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

fortified

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

fortunate

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

friends

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

hours

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

ingratitude

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

intended

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

knowledge

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

love

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

From this reading She had no real love for Ned Chester.

manner

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

many

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

marked

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

moment

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

more

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

Ned

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

From this reading She had no real love for Ned Chester.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading She had no real love for Ned Chester.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

observed

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

occasion

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

once

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

other

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

prepared

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

real

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

From this reading She had no real love for Ned Chester.

reflection

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

restlessness

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

retract

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

return

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

revealed

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

Sally

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

second

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

secretly

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

sense

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

Seth

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

some

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

spoken

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

strange

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

twice

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

unaccountable

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

From this reading Both he and Sally had observed a strange and unaccountable excitement in the Duchess's manner, and had spoken of it in confidence to each other.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She had been absent twice during the day, and when on the second occasion she returned, her restlessness was so marked that it communicated itself to her friends.

wished

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

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A fortunate chance revealed to Seth Dumbrick the knowledge of the Duchess's flight many hours before she intended him to become acquainted with it.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was not without fear, nor without some sense of the ingratitude of the act, that the Duchess prepared secretly for flight, and more than once her courage almost failed her; but she fortified herself with the reflection that she could return at the last moment if she wished, and that she had time before her to retract.