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Letters of Two Brides
Letters of Two Brides

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Letters of Two Brides is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Letters of Two Brides
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.
I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.
I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:
"Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.
Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Letters of Two Brides

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Letters of Two Brides is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.
Line 2
I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.
Line 3
I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:
Line 4
"Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.
Line 5
Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."
/taɪm wɪl ʃoʊ ˈweðər ðɪs ɪz nɑːt tuː triːt ə mæn æz mɔːr ðæn ˈhjuːmən/

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.

contrived adjective US /kənˈtraɪvd/

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading “I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.”

copy noun US /ˈkɑːpi/

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading “I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.”

devotion noun US /dɪˈvoʊʃən/

feelings of ardent love

From this reading “My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.”

fascinating adjective US /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading “My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.”

Italian noun US /ˌɪˈtæljən/

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading “My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.”

portrait noun US /ˈpɔːrtrət/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading “My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.”

treat verb US /triːt/

interact in a certain way

From this reading “Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."”

treats noun US /triːts/

plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat

From this reading “My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

blindnounUS /blaɪnd/

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

cavaliere

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

copynounUS /ˈkɑːpi/

a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

denounUS /diː/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

despatched

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

From this reading I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:

devotionnounUS /dɪˈvoʊʃən/

feelings of ardent love

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

DonnounUS /dɑːn/

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

DukenounUS /duːk/

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

Felipe

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

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:

ItaliannounUS /ˌɪˈtæljən/

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

Mirbel

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

Mme

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/

coated with paint

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

servente

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

single-hearted

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

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

TimenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

treatverbUS /triːt/

interact in a certain way

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

treatsnounUS /triːts/

plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as more than human."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

yesterdaynounUS /ˈjestərdeɪ/

the day immediately before today

From this reading I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it:

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian _cavaliere servente_ for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind confidence.

Chapter 11 of Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac holds 171 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 11 of Letters of Two Brides contain?

Chapter 11 holds 171 sentences of Letters of Two Brides, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 171 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 11 of Letters of Two Brides?

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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Letters of Two Brides

Common questions about reading Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Letters of Two Brides?

Yes. All 4507 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1941 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Letters of Two Brides is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1941, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Letters of Two Brides take to read?

About 375 minutes of reading across 902 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Letters of Two Brides section by section

How to work through Letters of Two Brides section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of Letters of Two Brides 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 Letters of Two Brides

Words and structures a reader meets early in Letters of Two Brides, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

George
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Two Brides; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
While
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Two Brides; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Casting
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Two Brides; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Reflected
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters of Two Brides; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.