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The Head of the House of Coombe
The Head of the House of Coombe

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for The Head of the House of Coombe
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.
“Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?
One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.
One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.
She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.
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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 Head of the House of Coombe

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.
Line 2
“Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?
Line 3
One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.
Line 4
One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.
Line 5
She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading ““Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading ““Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?”

All words in this reading · 78

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 “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

absolute

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

any

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

argued

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

broodings

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

Calendar

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

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

choice

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

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

crime

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

dark

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

deface

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

discover

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

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

education

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

existence

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

feel

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

fill

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

form

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

girl

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

give

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

horrors

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

images

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

known

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

likely

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

love

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

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

Mademoiselle

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

marks

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

morbid

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

Newgate

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

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

only

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

own

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

perhaps

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

permit

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

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

possible

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

produce

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

protected

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

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

read

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

From this reading One would not permit her to read the Newgate Calendar for choice.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

smears

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

touch

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

ugly

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

underworld

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

unhappiness

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

Vallé

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She had known none of the absolute horrors of life which were possible in that underworld which was not likely to touch her own existence in any form.

white

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

Why

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading She will be protected by those who love her and what she must discover she will discover.

wise

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

From this reading One does not feel it is wise to give a girl an education in crime.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?

young

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

From this reading “Why,” had argued Mademoiselle Vallé, “should one fill a white young mind with ugly images which would deface with dark marks and smears, and could only produce unhappiness and, perhaps, morbid broodings?