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Confidence
Confidence

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Confidence is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Henry James • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 20 of Confidence by Henry James holds 127 sentences, grouped into 26 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 20 of Confidence contain?

Chapter 20 holds 127 sentences of Confidence, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Confidence by Henry James exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 127 sentences, grouped into 26 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 20 of Confidence?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Confidence

Common questions about reading Confidence by Henry James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Confidence?

Yes. All 4722 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #178 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Confidence is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #178, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Confidence take to read?

About 393 minutes of reading across 945 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Confidence section by section

How to work through Confidence section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Confidence to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Confidence

Words and structures a reader meets early in Confidence, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Early
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confidence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
April
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confidence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bernard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confidence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Longueville
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confidence; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Confidence
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.
As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.
She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.
He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.
He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.
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.

Confidence

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Confidence is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.
Line 2
As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.
Line 3
She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.
Line 4
He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.
Line 5
He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

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.

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.”

Velmora curated lexicon
All words in this reading · 66

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

a

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
accident

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
already

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
As

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
asked

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
aware

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
became

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
Bernard

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
beside

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
between

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
certain

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
come

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
complaining

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
continued

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
expressed

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
feeling

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
for

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
had

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
happened

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
he

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
her

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
him

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
himself

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
how

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
intention

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
interest

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
it

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
leave

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
long

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
moments

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
neither

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
no

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
nor

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
nothing

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
or

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
parted

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
perfectly

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
question

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
ridiculous

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

From this reading He was already complaining to himself that she expressed no interest in him, and he was perfectly aware that this was a ridiculous feeling.

Pending verification
said

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
see

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
she

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
should

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Velmora curated lexicon
since

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
some

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
stay

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
that

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
the

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
them

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
they

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
things

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
this

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
unsaid

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
vexed

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

From this reading As the silence continued, he became aware of it, and it vexed him that she should leave certain things unsaid.

Pending verification
walked

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading Bernard walked beside her, and for some moments nothing was said between them.

Pending verification
what

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
whence

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification
whether

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
wished

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

From this reading He wished to see whether this was intention or accident.

Pending verification
would

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

From this reading She had asked him no question--neither whence he had come, nor how long he would stay, nor what had happened to him since they parted.

Pending verification