ironically enough; as irony would have it; in a nice little twist
transformation; abnormality; sexual perversion; pervert; metamorphosis; transformation
offender (esp. murderer); criminal
romance (e.g. Arthurian romances); heroic tale; (nigh) impossible dream; adventurous spirit; (full-length) novel; romance
to believe implicitly; to believe firmly; to believe entirely
obedient; submissive; docile; meek; pliant
to chip (off); to shave off; to sharpen; to dampen (one's enthusiasm, interest, etc.); to reduce
(great mental) resources; quick brain; resourcefulness; good wits
length and width; length and breadth; every direction; all directions; as one wishes; as one pleases
great writer; literary master; distinguished author
posterity; future generations; future life
fiction; made-up story; fable; fabrication; myth
near; close (to); nearby; (drawing) near; approaching; almost here
in; on; at; during; in the condition of
to understand from experience
it is darkest under the lamp post; it's hard to see what is under your nose; go abroad to hear of home; you must go into the country to hear what news at London
artificial object; man-made object; artifact; artefact
to tremble violently; to shudder up; to shake
prey; catch; kill; spoils; trophy; loot
countenance; features; looks
simple and honest; unsophisticated; simpleminded; naive; unspoiled
leading person; foremost figure
joint together; opposite; facing
gorgeous; gaudy; dazzling; gay; resplendent
famous; noted; renowned; celebrated; well-known
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
lighting up; illumination; floodlighting
floodlight; floodlight projector
gorgeous; gaudy; dazzling; gay; resplendent
switching on and off (of a light); flashing; blinking; flickering
walking off with someone's bag; luggage theft; luggage thief
to charm; to attract; to fascinate; to entice
surging crowd; wave of humanity; stampede
treasure; precious article; picture of a treasure ship; money; cash
century; era; of the century (e.g. fight of the century)
to flatter; to play up (to); to curry favor (with); to fawn (on); to cater (to)
petty underling; small fry