Sentence:  But meanwhile Mademoiselle's book had at least been found under an arm-chair where it had been dragged, <WSD>chewn</WSD> up and torn to pieces by a young pug-dog or by a kitten.<!--other translators have chewed! --> 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To crush with the teeth by repeated closing and opening of the jaws; done to food to soften it and break it down by the action of saliva before it is swallowed.