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

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23, section 1: THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom. In the corners, we could cle
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.
In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.
I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.
I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.
Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.
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 Phantom of the Opera

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.
Line 2
In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.
Line 3
I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.
Line 4
I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.
Line 5
Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

Learner Dictionary

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

narrative noun US /ˈnærətɪv/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading “THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.”

Collocations
THE PERSIAN'SA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
PERSIAN'S NARRATIVEA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 81

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

a-quiver

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

able

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

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

all

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

arm

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

betrothed

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

bottom

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

branch

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

bringing

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

Chagny

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

clearly

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

companion's

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

contain

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

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

CONTINUEDnounUS /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

corner

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

corners

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

covered

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

de

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

eager

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

feared

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

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

gear

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

glasses

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

hanged

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

heard

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

From this reading Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

intended

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

iron

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

joins

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

men

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

middle

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

mirrors

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

NARRATIVEnounUS /ˈnærətɪv/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

noise

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

From this reading Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

PERSIAN'S

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

recognized

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

room

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

see

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

segments

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

seized

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

shout

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

sides

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

six-cornered

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

SuddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

top

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

tree

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

turn

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.

Vicomte

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I seized my companion's arm: the Vicomte de Chagny was all a-quiver, eager to shout to his betrothed that he was bringing her help.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE PERSIAN'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED We were in the middle of a little six-cornered room, the sides of which were covered with mirrors from top to bottom.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I feared that he would not be able to contain himself.

yes

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

From this reading In the corners, we could clearly see the "joins" in the glasses, the segments intended to turn on their gear; yes, I recognized them and I recognized the iron tree in the corner, at the bottom of one of those segments ... the iron tree, with its iron branch, for the hanged men.