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Count Hannibal
Count Hannibal

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Count Hannibal is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.
But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.
To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.
But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.
And the Countess was no fanatic.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Count Hannibal

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Count Hannibal is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.
Line 2
But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.
Line 3
To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.
Line 4
But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.
Line 5
And the Countess was no fanatic.
/ənd ðə ˈkaʊntəs wɑːz noʊ fəˈnætɪk/

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.

amounting verb US /əˈmaʊntɪŋ/

-ing form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading “We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.”

appalled adjective US /əˈpɔːld/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading “But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.”

concessions noun US /kənˈseʃənz/

plural of “concession” — a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business

From this reading “But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.”

craven adjective US /ˈkreɪvən/

lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

From this reading “To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.”

fanatic noun US /fəˈnætɪk/

a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading “And the Countess was no fanatic.”

hardness noun US /ˈhɑːrdnəs/

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading “But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.”

ignore verb US /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading “To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.”

tenure noun US /ˈtenjər/

the term during which some position is held

From this reading “But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.”

All words in this reading · 118

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

amountingverbUS /əˈmaʊntɪŋ/

-ing form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/

reveal unintentionally

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

blowverbUS /bloʊ/

exhale hard

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

concessionnounUS /kənˈseʃən/

a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

concessionsnounUS /kənˈseʃənz/

plural of “concession” — a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

conductverbUS /ˈkɑːndəkt/

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

CountessnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading And the Countess was no fanatic.

couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/

a courteous or respectful or considerate act

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

cravenadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪvən/

lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

dealingsnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋz/

social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

devotionnounUS /dɪˈvoʊʃən/

feelings of ardent love

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

easeverbUS /iːz/

move gently or carefully

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

fanaticnounUS /fəˈnætɪk/

a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading And the Countess was no fanatic.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

foenounUS /foʊ/

an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

hardnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrdnəs/

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

LanounUS /lɑː/

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

lacknounUS /læk/

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

lossnounUS /lɔːs/

something that is lost

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

magnanimitynoun

liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

massacreverbUS /ˈmæsəkər/

kill a large number of people indiscriminately

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading And the Countess was no fanatic.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/

lacking in energy or will

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

proofnounUS /pruːf/

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

punishmentnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

the act of punishing

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

reproaches

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

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/

not arrogant or presuming

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

robverbUS /rɑːb/

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

ruinnounUS /ˈruːən/

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/

concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/

inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

stepping-stone

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

tasknounUS /tæsk/

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

Tavannes

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

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

tenurenounUS /ˈtenjər/

the term during which some position is held

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

TribenounUS /traɪb/

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

unscrupulousnessnoun

the quality of unscrupulous dishonesty

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading But to take the only other course open to her, to betray her husband and rob him of that, the loss of which might ruin him, this needed not courage only, not devotion only, but a hardness proof against reproaches as well as against punishment.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading To ignore what La Tribe had told her, to remain passive when a movement on her part might save men, women, and children from death, and a whole city from massacre--this was a line of conduct so craven, so selfish, that from the first she knew herself incapable of it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading But there are concessions which touch even a good woman's conscience; and Madame de Tavannes, free by the tenure of a blow, and with that exception treated from hour to hour with rugged courtesy, shrank appalled before the task which confronted her.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading We noted some way back the ease with which women use one concession as a stepping-stone to a second; and the lack of magnanimity, amounting almost to unscrupulousness, which the best display in their dealings with a retiring foe.

Chapter 20 of Count Hannibal by Stanley John Weyman holds 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 20 of Count Hannibal contain?

Chapter 20 holds 172 sentences of Count Hannibal, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Count Hannibal by Stanley John Weyman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 Count Hannibal?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 Count Hannibal

Common questions about reading Count Hannibal by Stanley John Weyman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Count Hannibal?

Yes. All 7532 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #15763 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Count Hannibal is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #15763, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Count Hannibal take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1507 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Count Hannibal section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of Count Hannibal 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 Count Hannibal

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

Tavannes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Count Hannibal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Summons
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Count Hannibal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Emerging
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Count Hannibal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Crowd
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Count Hannibal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.