Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Complete
The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Complete

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/539 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
X.
IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.
But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?
The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.
He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.
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 Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Complete

Chapter IV

Reading 1/539 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
X.
Line 2
IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.
Line 3
But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?
Line 4
The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.
Line 5
He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.”

Mixed verb US /mɪkst/

involved with or connected to

From this reading “He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

always

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

anxiety

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

begin

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

blunders

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

bring

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

call

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

campaign

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

clear

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

conceited

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

day

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

discretion

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

displayed

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

Don

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

door

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

ecclesiastical

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

exaggerated

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

face

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

fever

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

finish

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

greatly

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

informed

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

inside

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

inspiration

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

intricate

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

luckily

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

man

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

mixedverbUS /mɪkst/

involved with or connected to

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

opening

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

perceived

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

perplexed

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

Pierre

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

realised

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

reality

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

saffron

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

steer

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

things

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

timorous

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

trembled

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

up

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

very

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

Vigilio

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

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

well

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

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He realised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion, was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

wished

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

From this reading IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The question greatly perplexed him; however, on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in the passage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside.

world

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

From this reading But on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world?

X

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

From this reading X.