to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
inner palace (reserved for women); harem; seraglio; consort of the emperor
palace; tonic (of the Japanese and Chinese pentatonic scale); ancient Chinese punishment (castration for men, or confinement for women); zodiacal sign
to meet; to assemble; to congregate
not limited to; not just ...
depiction; description; portrayal
royalty and titled nobility
yearning; longing; aspiration; adoration; admiration
distant look; faraway look
well; properly; best regards; please remember me; just like ...; as though one were ...
traveling expenses; travelling expenses
sincerely; earnestly; repeatedly; over and over; again and again
to be careful; to pay attention; to take care
to press against; to push against; to force against; to foist on (task, responsibility); to impose (one's will)
imperious; proud; heavy (nasal breathing)
slipping out (a chuckle, giggle); unintentionally (letting out a quiet laugh)
defect; deficiency; imperfection; Yours in haste
last; final; closing; last train (bus, flight, etc.; of the day)
inspection; examination; checking
previously; before; first; before (something or someone else); beforehand; in advance
to board; to embark on; to get into (a car); to march into; to enter
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
thicket; coppice; brushwood
privacy; secrecy; confidentiality
request; favor; favour; reliance; dependence; trust
to grant (request, wish); to answer (prayer); to fulfill (conditions); to meet (requirements)
to hate; to dislike; to loathe
to confide; to reveal; to disclose; to lay bare; to speak frankly; to open (one's heart)
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
please; somehow or other; one way or another
to add to one's circle of friends (or colleagues, etc.); to take in; to accept
to be stunned; to be surprised; (lit.) one's eyes turn into dots (like a cartoon character)
persuasion by tears; using tears to get one's way; sob story
to say something is all right; to give the all-clear (e.g. to do something)
easy; simple; there's no way that ...
(brother and sister) born of a different mother
evil influence; (evil) clutches; tentacles of evil