Before You Read: Target Vocabulary
Essential words to understand this chapter easily.
gloom
/ɡluːm/Partial or complete darkness that often creates a frightening or sad feeling.
threshold
/ˈθreʃhəʊld/The floor or stone piece at the entrance of a doorway.
wince
/wɪns/To make a quick face movement because you feel sudden pain or fear.
nausea
/ˈnɔːziə/The unpleasant feeling that you are sick and about to vomit.
Chapter Text Preview
The carriage stopped in a dark courtyard. The driver helped me down, and I noticed again his terrible strength—his hand felt like a steel vice. He dropped my luggage on the ground and quickly drove away into the gloom, leaving me completely alone before a massive wooden door studded with iron nails. I stood in silence, full of doubt and fear. Just as I wondered if this was all a horrible nightmare, I heard heavy steps behind the door. Chains rattled, bolts were drawn back, and the door swung open. A tall old man stood before me, dressed in black...
Continue Reading in the Interactive Reader
Create a free account to read all chapters, click any highlighted word for pronunciation, and complete interactive post-reading quizzes.