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Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge
Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge
Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PRODIGAL CHILD.
Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.
The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.
It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.
But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge

Chapter XII

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PRODIGAL CHILD.
Line 2
Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.
Line 3
The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.
Line 4
It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.
Line 5
But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.”

Thunder noun US /ˈthunder/

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

From this reading “It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.”

All words in this reading · 66

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

alarm

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

besieged

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

cannon

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

CHILD

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

From this reading THE PRODIGAL CHILD.

coming

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

Convention

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

crowd

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

crowded

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

everywhere

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

heard

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

majesty

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

mattered

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

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

Maurice

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

moment

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

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

offended

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

only

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

out

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

people

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

possessed

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

prevented

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

probability

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

PRODIGAL

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

From this reading THE PRODIGAL CHILD.

quicker

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.

remarked

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

representatives

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

retarded

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

ring

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

said

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

some

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

sounding

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

streets

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

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PRODIGAL CHILD.

there

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

thundernounUS /ˈthunder/

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

tocsin

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it retarded his course.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what at this moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon?

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was said everywhere that the Convention was besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm.

wings

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

From this reading Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings.