Recluse hard to accept in First Class (9)

I believe the answer is:

solitaire

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'recluse' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'hard to accept in first class' is the wordplay.
'hard' becomes 'soli' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'first' suggests taking the first letters.
'class' becomes 'RE' (Religious Education, school subject).
The initial letters of 'to accept in' is 'tai'.
'soli'+'tai'+'re'='SOLITAIRE'

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(Other definitions for solitaire that I've seen before include "Patience of Americans" , "Game for one person - single gem" , "American singer" , "Card game for one player" , "Bond girl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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