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The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter XIII

At the sight of this agitation Louis XVIII.

Chapter 13, section 1: M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted. Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in t
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.
Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.
Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.
Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.
Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.
Line 2
Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.
Line 3
Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.
Line 4
Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.
Line 5
Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

Learner Dictionary

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

true adjective US /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading “M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.”

Collocations
M NoirtierA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
Noirtier wasA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 111

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

1806

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

93

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

all

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

attempt

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

Blacas

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

blow

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

brevet

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

counterpart

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

court

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

cross

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

de

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

deprived

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

doubtless

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

duly

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

Elba

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

emperor

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

EveryonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

faint

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

famous

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

fell

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

forwarded

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

foundation

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

future

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

gained

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

Girondin

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

gratitude

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

ground

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

history

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

Honor

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

ideas

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

incongruous

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

injure

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

king's

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

knows

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

lately

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

Legion

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

likely

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

Louis

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

M

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

made

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

monarchy

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

Napoleon

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

new

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

Noirtier

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

office

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

parry

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

past

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

powerful

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

precarious

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

predicted

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

prejudices

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

present

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

probably

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

progressed

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

prophet

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

protected

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

protector

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

prudence

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

rapidly

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

rather

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

reconstructed

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

remain

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

return

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

scarcely

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

Senator

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

sign

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

structure

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

things

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

thus

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

tottered

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From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

unexpected

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From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

unprecedented

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From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

Villefort

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From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading M. Noirtier was a true prophet, and things progressed rapidly, as he had predicted.

wear

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

From this reading Villefort, therefore, gained nothing save the king’s gratitude (which was rather likely to injure him at the present time) and the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he had the prudence not to wear, although M. de Blacas had duly forwarded the brevet.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Everyone knows the history of the famous return from Elba, a return which was unprecedented in the past, and will probably remain without a counterpart in the future.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Napoleon would, doubtless, have deprived Villefort of his office had it not been for Noirtier, who was all powerful at court, and thus the Girondin of ’93 and the Senator of 1806 protected him who so lately had been his protector.

XVIII

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

From this reading Louis XVIII. made but a faint attempt to parry this unexpected blow; the monarchy he had scarcely reconstructed tottered on its precarious foundation, and at a sign from the emperor the incongruous structure of ancient prejudices and new ideas fell to the ground.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 011: The Corsican Ogre?

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

According to the text: "At the sight of this agitation Louis XVIII....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: At the sight of this agitation Louis XVIII.
Narrator: and devoted servant—that’s all.