Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Kingmakers
The Kingmakers

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for The Kingmakers
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.
There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.
There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.
But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.
And all are agreed that they have never been approached.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Kingmakers

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.
Line 2
There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.
Line 3
There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.
Line 4
But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.
Line 5
And all are agreed that they have never been approached.

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 “But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.”

Forgotten adjective US /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading “There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

agreed

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

From this reading And all are agreed that they have never been approached.

air

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

all

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

From this reading And all are agreed that they have never been approached.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

approached

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

From this reading And all are agreed that they have never been approached.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading And all are agreed that they have never been approached.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

aspirant

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

attendants

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

bearing

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

Club

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

Danilo

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

draught

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

ending

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

exquisite

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

forgot

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

honours

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

lost

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

many

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

measure

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

model

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

more

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

mystery

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

new

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

night

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

onlookers

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

other

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

perfect

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

persons

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

pistol-shot

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

PLAYS

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

poison

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

PRINCE

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

promptly

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

rooms

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

served

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

speaks

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

spectacular

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

Sporting

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

style

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

terrace

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

There

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

unreality

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

visit

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

From this reading THE PRINCE PLAYS They still tell, at the Sporting Club, of the last visit of Prince Danilo.

visits

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

wash-room

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

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But there was something about the prince that night, an air of mystery and unreality, which the onlookers never forgot; and his style was so exquisite, his bearing so perfect, that they have ever since served as a model by which the attendants measure each new aspirant for the honours of the rooms.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There have been other visits more spectacular, ending with a pistol-shot on the terrace or a draught of poison in the wash-room; but of them no one speaks.

won

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

From this reading There have been many persons who won more or lost more--and were promptly forgotten.