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The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Chapter XXVI

The sun had nearly reached the meridian, and his scorching rays fell full on the rocks, which seemed themselves sensible of the heat.

Chapter 26, section 1: First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.” “What is that?” inquired the abbé. “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”
“What is that?” inquired the abbé.
“Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”
“Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.
“I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.
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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 XXVI

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”
Line 2
“What is that?” inquired the abbé.
Line 3
“Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”
Line 4
“Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.
Line 5
“I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

Learner Dictionary

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

first noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.””

Collocations
First sirA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
sir saidA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 67

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 First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

abbé

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

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/

any person at all

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

break

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

breast

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

From this reading “I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

Caderousse

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

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

confessions

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

From this reading “I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

die

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

From this reading “I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

easy

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

From this reading “Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

fingers

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

friend

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

From this reading “Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.

give

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

glass

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/

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

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

laid

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

like

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

only

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

persons

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

pieces

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

powerful

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

priest

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

From this reading “I am a priest, and confessions die in my breast.

promise

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

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.

rich

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

said

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

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

sir

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

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

supplied

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

talk

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

tips

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

use

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What is that?” inquired the abbé.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

Why

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

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Why, if you ever make use of the details I am about to give you, that you will never let anyone know that it was I who supplied them; for the persons of whom I am about to talk are rich and powerful, and if they only laid the tips of their fingers on me, I should break to pieces like glass.”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading First, sir,” said Caderousse, “you must make me a promise.”

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “Make yourself easy, my friend,” replied the abbé.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 024: The Secret Cave?

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

According to the text: "The sun had nearly reached the meridian, and his scorching rays fell...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: The sun had nearly reached the meridian, and his scorching rays fell
Narrator: indulged in fallacious hopes.”