Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Sorceress (Complete)
The Sorceress (Complete)

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Sorceress (Complete)
Context Illustration Reading 1/64 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.
To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.
There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.
Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.
He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Sorceress (Complete)

Chapter VII

Reading 1/64 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.
Line 2
To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.
Line 3
There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.
Line 4
Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.
Line 5
He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

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 “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.”

Equanimity noun US /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading “He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.”

Rapidity noun US /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

affect

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

affecting

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

all

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

Aubrey

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

awakens

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

back

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

bare

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

breathless

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

brevity

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

brings

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

conducive

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

crisis

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

deeply

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

departure

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

describe

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

desire

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

dwell

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

easy

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

expressions

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

fury

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

guilt

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

habits

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

horror

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

indeed

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

interested

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

laid

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

Leigh

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

listener

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

made

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

moment

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

more

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

most

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

moved

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

much

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

narration

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

one's

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

painful

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

politely

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

possible

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

preserve

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

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

runs

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

self

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

self-defence

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

self-surprise

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

shudder

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

statement

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

story

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

subtle

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

supplies

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

swept

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

tempest

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

terse

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

There

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

unsympathetic

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

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

voice

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He could not preserve his equanimity, or look as if it were an easy thing for him to do.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The story which Aubrey Leigh had to tell was indeed made as short as possible.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading There is no desire to dwell upon the details, and to tell a story so deeply affecting one’s self to a politely unsympathetic listener who does not affect to be much interested or at all moved by the subtle self-defence which runs through every such statement, is still more conducive to brevity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

wonder

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

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

words

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

From this reading Aubrey laid bare the tempest that had swept over him with a breathless voice and broken words.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading To describe the most painful crisis in your life, the moment which you yourself shudder to look back at, which awakens in you that fury of self-surprise, horror and wonder which a sudden departure from all the habits of your life brings after it when it is guilt, is not an easy thing; but it supplies terse expressions and rapidity of narration.