Vocabulary

the humble shield of our Sovereign Lord

to go to bed

to be brought up with tenderest care in a good family

to look askance (at); to look contemptuously; to look down on

something white; snow; gray hair; grey hair

duty ends only in death

to have a good appetite

to be congenial; to agree with one; to be in one's nature

to be young; to be young and have a promising future

surpassing one's master

to give advice; to counsel; to take part in a consultation

to admire (someone's courage); to approve of (someone's ambition)

witty and knowing; not to be underestimated; smooth operator

nonchalant air; unruffled air

pearls thrown before swine; unused possession; useless possession; waste of talent

last ray of hope; only hope

to appreciate; to be thankful

to improve one's skill (esp. at calligraphy or drinking larger amounts of alcohol)

heaven's net has large meshes, but nothing escapes

one's subordinate

to be at a loss; to be puzzled

to go to bed; to be sick in bed; to be laid up

irrespective of the occasion; indiscriminately

to gain in skill; to improve; to get better

nurture over nature; how one is brought up matters more than one's origins

to get on well (with someone); to be a good match with one's horse

to be in luck's way; to get lucky

to be caught in a trap (snare, etc.)

to be attacked by a disease

to leave the government service

I give up

to get drunk; to become tipsy

veil of darkness; curtain of night

for a certain reason; owing to unavoidable circumstances

to hit the bull's-eye; to go as expected

to get carried away; to become over-excited; to push one's luck; to push a good thing too far

despicable

to build a house

to enjoy (a person's) favor (favour)

to form a complete whole; to be joined together