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The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter CIII

Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.

Chapter 103, section 1: The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person. Th
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.
This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.
Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.
His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.
At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.
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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.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter CIII

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.
Line 2
This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.
Line 3
Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.
Line 4
His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.
Line 5
At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

Learner Dictionary

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

apartment noun US /əˈpɑːrtmənt/

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading “The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.”

Collocations
The apartmentA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
apartment onA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 115

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 The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

Albert

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

allow

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

always

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

appeared

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

approached

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

blowing

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

buried

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

chin

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

coachmen

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

cold

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

concierge

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

Contrary

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

custom

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

de

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

discreet

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

door

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

face

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

fire

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

floor

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

four

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

generally

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

gentlemen's

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

half-past

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

handkerchiefs

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

high

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

home

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

hour

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

house

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

ices

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

impertinent

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

incognito

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

interference

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

just

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

large

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

lighted

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

made

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

man

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

Morcerf

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

mother

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

night

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

nose

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

o'clock

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

occasionally

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

person

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

placed

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

possession

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

ran

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

rank

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

red

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

regular

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

report

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

respected

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

Rue

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

seen

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

selected

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

servant

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

spent

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

strictly

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

summer

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

superintendence

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

table

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

there

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

three

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

From this reading At half-past three in the winter the fire was lighted by the discreet servant, who had the superintendence of the little apartment, and in the summer ices were placed on the table at the same hour.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

tolerably

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

very

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

visits

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

watched

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

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His visits were tolerably regular, though occasionally he appeared a little before or after his time, but generally, both in summer and winter, he took possession of his apartment about four o’clock, though he never spent the night there.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The apartment on the first floor of the house in the Rue Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where Albert de Morcerf had selected a home for his mother, was let to a very mysterious person.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

winter

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

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

wornverbUS /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading This was a man whose face the concierge himself had never seen, for in the winter his chin was buried in one of the large red handkerchiefs worn by gentlemen’s coachmen on a cold night, and in the summer he made a point of always blowing his nose just as he approached the door.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Contrary to custom, this gentleman had not been watched, for as the report ran that he was a person of high rank, and one who would allow no impertinent interference, his _incognito_ was strictly respected.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 101: Locusta?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of
Narrator: I can recognize the flavor of the alcohol in which it