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The Queen's Advocate
The Queen's Advocate

Chapter XVII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE QUEEN’S ADVOCATE.
The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.
One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.
But that impression was only momentary.
Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Queen's Advocate

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE QUEEN’S ADVOCATE.
Line 2
The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.
Line 3
One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.
Line 4
But that impression was only momentary.
Line 5
Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.”

Handsome noun US /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading “The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

achieved

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

ADVOCATE

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

From this reading THE QUEEN’S ADVOCATE.

affair

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

appeared

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

beautiful

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

bit

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

brilliant

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that impression was only momentary.

caper

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

caught

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

clever

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

cloud

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

colour

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

court

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

decoration

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

dresses

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

effects

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

encircled

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

Fate

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

flashing

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

flowers

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

frivol

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

ghastly

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

hour

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

how

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

impression

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

indeed

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

irresistible

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

jest

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

jewels

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

Knowing

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

lavish

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

lights

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

magnificent

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

men

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

mockery

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

momentary

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

From this reading But that impression was only momentary.

multitudes

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

One's

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

only

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

From this reading But that impression was only momentary.

outwardly

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

perfect

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

peril

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

pleasure

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

pretended

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

pretty

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

prodigal

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

QUEEN'S

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

From this reading THE QUEEN’S ADVOCATE.

rather

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

realism

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

reception

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

scene

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

setting

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

showy

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

smile

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

soon

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But that impression was only momentary.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE QUEEN’S ADVOCATE.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

tribute

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

triumph

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

unconsciousness

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

uniforms

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

very

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

wealth

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.

whole

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

women

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

From this reading The reception was outwardly a very brilliant affair indeed, with multitudes of flashing lights, clever colour effects, lavish decoration, and a prodigal wealth of flowers, as the setting for the showy uniforms of handsome men and the magnificent dresses and jewels of pretty women.

wondering

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

From this reading Knowing as I did the cloud of peril which encircled the whole court, the scene soon appeared to me to be rather a ghastly mockery of Fate than a bit of beautiful realism; and I caught myself wondering how men could caper and jest and women smile and frivol in pretended unconsciousness of everything but the pleasure of the hour.

æsthetic

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From this reading One’s first impression was an irresistible tribute to the perfect æsthetic triumph which had been achieved.