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Balsamo, the Magician
Balsamo, the Magician

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Balsamo, the Magician
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.
Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.
Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.
Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.
But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Balsamo, the Magician

Chapter VII

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.
Line 2
Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.
Line 3
Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.
Line 4
Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.
Line 5
But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.”

All words in this reading · 68

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.

anguish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

assault

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

attempted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

Balsamo

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

climb

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

fell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

gardener's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

gave

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

get

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

Gilbert

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

grass

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

guest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

heard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

idea

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

knees

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

ladder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

limbs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

listen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

lying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

MAID

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

means

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

MISTRESS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.

mount

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

noise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

pick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

remembered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

rustling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

spy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

stooped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

strong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS.

Then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

times

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

trembling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

turned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

twenty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

unspeakable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gilbert had passed this time in unspeakable anguish.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

weak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading But as he stooped to pick up this ladder, lying on the grass where he remembered, he heard a rustling noise by the house, and he turned.

window

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the idea struck him to get the gardener's ladder and by its means climb up outside to the window, and listen and spy.

youth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Balsamo was but a man, but he was a strong one, and the youth was weak: He had attempted twenty times to mount to the assault of the guest room, but his trembling limbs gave way under him and he fell on his knees.