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The Forty-Five Guardsmen
The Forty-Five Guardsmen

Chapter XXXV

Cover illustration for The Forty-Five Guardsmen
Context Illustration Reading 1/106 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HOW KING HENRI III.
DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.
The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.
His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.
When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.
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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 Forty-Five Guardsmen

Chapter XXXV

Reading 1/106 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HOW KING HENRI III.
Line 2
DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.
Line 3
The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.
Line 4
His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.
Line 5
When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.”

HIMSELF pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

barbers

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

bath

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

blanket

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

bouillon

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

BREAKFAST

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

CHICOT

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

courtiers

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

CRILLON

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

d'hotel

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

day

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

dressers

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

events

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

felt

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

Fere

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

fleece

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

forest

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

France

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

gave

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

given

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

gone

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

HENRI

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

From this reading HOW KING HENRI III.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

HIMSELFpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

HOW

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

From this reading HOW KING HENRI III.

hungry

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

III

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

From this reading HOW KING HENRI III.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

INVITE

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

INVITED

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

just

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

KING

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

From this reading HOW KING HENRI III.

La

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

like

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

looks

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

maitre

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

more

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

nine

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

ordered

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

ordinary

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

perfumers

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

Persian

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

place

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

related

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

rolled

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

sent

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

sheep

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

sponged

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

taken

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

thick

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading DID NOT INVITE CRILLON TO BREAKFAST, AND HOW CHICOT INVITED HIMSELF.

turn

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

valet-de-chambre

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

wadding

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The day after the events that we have just related had taken place in the forest of La Fere, the king of France left his bath at about nine in the morning.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When these last were gone, the king sent for his maitre d'hotel, and ordered something more than his ordinary bouillon, as he felt hungry that morning.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.

wool

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

From this reading His valet-de-chambre, after having rolled him in a blanket of fine wool, and sponged him with that thick Persian wadding which looks like the fleece of a sheep, had given him over to the barbers and dressers, who in their turn gave place to the perfumers and courtiers.