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The Heir
The Heir

Chapter XXI · “There’s Many a Slip----”

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Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.
Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.
And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.
It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.
The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Heir

Chapter XXI · “There’s Many a Slip----”

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.
Line 2
Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.
Line 3
And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.
Line 4
It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.
Line 5
The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.”

Folly noun US /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading “Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.”

Princess noun US /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading “It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.”

All words in this reading · 148

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 The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

accept

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

additional

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

admittance

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

aged

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

all

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

allow

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

also

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

Apostolos

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

Armitage

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

Armitage's

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

arranged

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

Athanasios

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

behaviour

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

bound

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

Brother

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

came

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

carried

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

caused

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

church

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

conclave

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

conditions

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

conveyed

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

coupled

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

day

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

decided

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

Demetri

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

denied

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

desires

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

devout

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

diligently

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

disappointed

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

down

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

drawing

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

efforts

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

Eirene

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

escape

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

far

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

few

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

finished

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

five

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

fulfil

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

fulfilled

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

further

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

gold

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

haloes

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

held

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

honour

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

hundred

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

identified

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

ikonostasis

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

indiscreet

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

instead

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

keys

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

Kirileff

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

Kirileff's

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

ladders

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

large

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

leaving

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

M

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

majority

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

matter

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

merely

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

mislaying

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

monastery

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

monk

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

monks

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

news

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

Nikola

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

observed

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

offer

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

paid

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

Papa

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

pertinently

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

picture

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

place

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

plates

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

PrincessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

prisoners

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

promise

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

promised

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

promote

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

pure

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

refuse

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

replaced

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

roubles

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

saints

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

silver-gilt

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

strenuous

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

suggestion

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

sum

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

temporary

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

thousand

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

two

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

up

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

vacuous-faced

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

warning

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading And, after all, they were not asked to promote the prisoners’ escape; it was merely a matter of leaving the ladders down for a few nights instead of drawing them up, and of a temporary mislaying of his keys by Papa Athanasios.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

wink

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

From this reading The conclave was held, and despite the strenuous efforts of Papa Demetri, the monks decided by a large majority to accept Armitage’s offer, and wink at the escape of the prisoners.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

work

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

From this reading The good news was carried by Papa Athanasios to Armitage, who was diligently at work in the courtyard, and he conveyed it to Wylie, whose indiscreet behaviour the day before, coupled with M. Kirileff’s warning, had caused him to be denied further admittance.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Had M. Kirileff paid down his two thousand five hundred roubles, the monastery would have been bound in honour to fulfil his conditions, as the aged Papa Apostolos pertinently observed, but since he had merely promised it, and had not so far fulfilled his promise, it would be folly to refuse an additional sum which would allow the silver-gilt haloes of the saints on the _ikonostasis_ to be replaced by plates of pure gold.

Wylie

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.

young

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

From this reading It was also arranged--the suggestion came from Brother Nikola, the vacuous-faced young monk who had identified Wylie--that the escape should not take place until Armitage had finished his picture of the church, lest the Princess Eirene should be disappointed of her devout desires.