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Within the Precincts
Within the Precincts

Chapter XXVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.
When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.
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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.

Within the Precincts

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.
Line 2
The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.
Line 3
There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.
Line 4
Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.
Line 5
When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

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 “The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.”

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading “There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

acceptance

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

accepted

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

agreeable

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

all

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

always

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

best

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

From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.

betrayed

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

blessedness

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

business

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

choice

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

crowning

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

days

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

downs

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

end

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

enviable

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

explanation

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

few

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

hesitates

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

intervals

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

lady's

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

made

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

man

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

marriage

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

MARRY

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

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

moment

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

most

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

other

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

position

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

preliminaries

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

prerogative

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

privilege

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

proposal

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

rejection

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

response

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

ROLLO

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

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

seems

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

side

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

Sometimes

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

From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

then

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

There

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

two

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

unmitigated

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

From this reading The moment after a man has made a proposal of marriage, and has been accepted, is not always a moment of unmitigated blessedness.

ups

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

waver

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT ROLLO HAD TO MARRY ON.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

whole

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

From this reading There are ups and downs in the whole business from beginning to end.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading When either side has betrayed itself without a response on the other, when the man seems to waver in his privilege of choice, when the woman hesitates in her crowning prerogative of acceptance or rejection, then there are intervals on either side which are not enviable; but when all these preliminaries are over, and the explanation has been made, and the two understand each other--then the lady’s position is, for the first few days at least, the most agreeable.

woman

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

From this reading Sometimes the man has the best of it, and sometimes the woman.