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A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark
A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark is here in full — 389 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark
Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.
Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.
Retsch’s Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”
It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.
Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark is here in full — 389 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.
/aɪ θɔːt juː wɜːr ɔːl əˈsliːp ɔːr ded bʌt naʊ aɪ siː ðə kɑːz ʌv ðɪs ˈɑːfəl ˈsaɪ.ləns ʃiː kraɪd/
Line 2
Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.
Line 3
Retsch’sGame of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”
Line 4
It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.
Line 5
Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

fateful adjective US /ˈfeɪtfəl/

having momentous consequences; of decisive importance

From this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

mimic noun US /ˈmɪmɪk/

someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress)

From this reading ““Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.”

observer noun US /əbˈzɜːrvər/

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

pondering adjective US /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

resembling verb US /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/

-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

tableau noun US /təˈbloʊ/

a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)

From this reading ““Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.”

wins noun US /wɪnz/

plural of “win” — a victory (as in a race or other competition)

From this reading ““Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.”

wistful adjective US /ˈwɪstfəl/

showing pensive sadness

From this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

most effective adverb + adjective

In this reading “Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.””

young man adjective + noun

a teenager or a young adult male

In this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

awful silence adjective + noun

In this reading ““I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.”

looked up verb + adjective counted as “look up”

seek information from

In this reading ““Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.”

finger on verb + particle

In this reading “It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.”

All words in this reading · 102

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

angelnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəl/

spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

asleepadjectiveUS /əˈsliːp/

in a state of sleep

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

calmverbUS /kɑːm/

make calm or still

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

Canaris

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

consciousadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnʃəs/

intentionally conceived

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

deadadjectiveUS /ded/

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

Don't

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

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

fatefuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtfəl/

having momentous consequences; of decisive importance

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

Felix

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

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

fingerverbUS /ˈfɪŋɡər/

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

GamenounUS /ɡeɪm/

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

Gladys

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

Helwyze

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/

making a strong or vivid impression

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

LifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/

held up in the air

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

lipnounUS /lɪp/

either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

loseverbUS /luːz/

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

mimicnounUS /ˈmɪmɪk/

someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress)

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

moveverbUS /muːv/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

Olivia

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

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

ponderingadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/

-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

Retsch's

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

From this reading Retsch’s ‘Game of Life,’ quite perfect, and most effective.”

rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/

the stealing of cattle

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

SatannounUS /ˈseɪtən/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

speakverbUS /spiːk/

express in speech

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

stirverbUS /stɜːr/

move an implement through

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

tableaunounUS /təˈbloʊ/

a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)

From this reading “Don’t speak, don’t stir; let me enjoy the fine tableau you make.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/

accept gladly

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

winsnounUS /wɪnz/

plural of “win” — a victory (as in a race or other competition)

From this reading “Which wins?” asked Olivia, rustling toward them, conscious of having made an impressive entrance; for both men looked up to welcome her, though Gladys never lifted her eyes from the mimic battle Felix seemed about to lose.

wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/

showing pensive sadness

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I thought you were all asleep or dead; but now I see the cause of this awful silence,” she cried.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading It certainly was to an observer; for Canaris, flushed and eager, looked the young man to the life; Helwyze, calm but intent, with his finger on his lip, pondering that last fateful move, was an excellent Satan; and behind them stood Gladys, wonderfully resembling the wistful angel, with that new brightness on her face.

Chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark by Louisa May Alcott holds 389 sentences, grouped into 78 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark contain?

Chapter 5 holds 389 sentences of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark, unabridged, divided into 78 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark by Louisa May Alcott exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 389 sentences, grouped into 78 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 5 of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark?

Work through the 78 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 78 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark

Common questions about reading A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark by Louisa May Alcott on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark?

Yes. All 3176 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #54212 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #54212, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark take to read?

About 264 minutes of reading across 636 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark section by section

How to work through A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Louisa
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alcott
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Novels
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Moods
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the Dark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.