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The Filigree Ball
The Filigree Ball

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Filigree Ball
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.
Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.
Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.
As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.
In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.
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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 Filigree Ball

Chapter II

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.
Line 2
Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.
Line 3
Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.
Line 4
As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.
Line 5
In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

Learner Dictionary

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

Accounts noun US /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

Art auxiliary verb US /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading “Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.”

Parlor noun US /ˈpɑːrlər/

an old-fashioned sitting room

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

agree

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

all

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

back

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

beautiful

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

bouquet

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

bridal

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

bride

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

bunch

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

called

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

carried

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

catastrophe

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

cloak

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

clusters

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

coincidence

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

conceivable

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

connected

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

find

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

fled

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

florist's

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

folds

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

followed

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

forgot

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

horror

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

how

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

hung

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

Interesting

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

lay

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

lesser

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

library

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

lilies

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

main

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

moment

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

more

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

Nestled

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

noted

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

now

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

once

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

only

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/

an old-fashioned sitting room

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

place

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

put

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

recalled

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

remains

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

ribbon

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

ribbons

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

room

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

roses

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

satin

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

scentless

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

shudder

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

similar

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

speaking

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

specimen

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

speculate

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

staying

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

taken

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

Unsightly

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

From this reading Unsightly now and scentless, it was once a beautiful specimen of the florist’s art.

up

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

upstairs

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

use

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Interesting as was this find, it was followed by one still more so.

way

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

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading As I noted how the main bunch of roses and lilies was connected by long satin ribbons to the lesser clusters which hung from it, I recalled with conceivable horror the use to which a similar ribbon had been put in the room below.

withered

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

From this reading Nestled in the folds of the cloak, lay the withered remains of what could only have been the bridal bouquet.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In the shudder called up by this coincidence I forgot to speculate how a bouquet carried by the bride could have found its way back to this upstairs room when, as all accounts agree, she had fled from the parlor below without speaking or staying foot the moment she was told of the catastrophe which had taken place in the library.