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The Threatening Eye
The Threatening Eye

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for The Threatening Eye
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SECOND WARNING.
During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.
She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.
She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.
She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Threatening Eye

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SECOND WARNING.
Line 2
During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.
Line 3
She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.
Line 4
She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.
Line 5
She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.”

SECOND noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SECOND WARNING.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

afraid

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

almost

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

altogether

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

beautiful

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

character

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

desire

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

early

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

effect

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

enjoyed

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

ennobling

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

existence

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

face

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

happiness

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

indeed

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

joys

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

looking

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

man

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

many

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

married

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

Mary

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

months

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

ordeal

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

perfect

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

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

produced

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

refining

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

reflected

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

SECOND

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

From this reading THE SECOND WARNING.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

sometimes

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

soul

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

strange

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

sweet

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SECOND WARNING.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During these early months of her married life, Mary enjoyed an almost perfect happiness, for the first time of her short existence.

unworthy

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

vicissitudes

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

WARNING

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

From this reading THE SECOND WARNING.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She had passed through the terrible ordeal, and the strange vicissitudes of her life had produced an ennobling and refining effect upon her character, which was reflected on her beautiful face.

woman

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

From this reading She was, indeed, as sweet a woman as the soul of man could desire.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She sometimes wondered and was afraid when she thought of it, looking upon herself as being altogether unworthy of so many joys.