Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Master of His Fate
Master of His Fate

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Master of His Fate is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Master of His Fate
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Mysterious Case.
The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.
Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.
Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.
Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.
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.

Master of His Fate

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Master of His Fate is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Mysterious Case.
/ə mɪˈstɪriəs keɪs/
Line 2
The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.
/ðə tuː frendz rɪˈtɜːrnd æz ðeɪ hæd ərˈeɪndʒd tuː ðə ˈhaɪəsɪnθ klʌb fɔːr ˈdɪnər/
Line 3
Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.
Line 4
Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.
Line 5
Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

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.

alert adjective US /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading “Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.”

churlish adjective US /ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ/

rude and boorish

From this reading “Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.”

contingency noun US /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/

a possible event or occurrence or result

From this reading “Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.”

downcast adjective US /ˈdaʊnkæst/

directed downward

From this reading “Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.”

Hyacinth noun US /ˈhaɪəsɪnθ/

a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone

From this reading “The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.”

overture noun US /ˈoʊvərtʃər/

orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio

From this reading “Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.”

preoccupied adjective US /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading “Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.”

speculation noun US /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading “Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 A Mysterious Case.

alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

arrangedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪndʒd/

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

atenounUS /eɪt/

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

brilliancynoun

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

CasenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading A Mysterious Case.

churlishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ/

rude and boorish

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

ClubnounUS /klʌb/

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

concernnounUS /kənˈsɜːrn/

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

contingencynounUS /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/

a possible event or occurrence or result

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

coruscating

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

counselnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

Courtney

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

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

Courtney's

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

desiredadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərd/

wanted intensely

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

downcastadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnkæst/

directed downward

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

HyacinthnounUS /ˈhaɪəsɪnθ/

a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

Julius

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

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

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 Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

Lefevre

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

MysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

of an obscure nature

From this reading A Mysterious Case.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

Nora

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

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

overturenounUS /ˈoʊvərtʃər/

orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

partedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrtɪd/

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

sankverbUS /sæŋk/

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/

not often

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

simplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/

add up in number or quantity

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two friends returned, as they had arranged, to the Hyacinth Club for dinner.

understandingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/

under normal conditions

From this reading Yet he made no overture of understanding, for he knew that Courtney seldom offered confidence or desired sympathy; not that he was churlish or reserved, but simply that he was usually sufficient unto himself, both for counsel and for consolation.

vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/

in a vague way

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lefevre noted, while they ate, that there was clear speculation in his eye, that he was not vaguely dreaming, but with alert intelligence examining some question, or facing some contingency; and it was natural he should think that the question or contingency must concern Nora as much as Julius.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Courtney's coruscating brilliancy sank into almost total darkness when they parted from Lady and Miss Lefevre, and when they sat down to table he was preoccupied and silent, yet in no proper sense downcast or dull.

Chapter 2 of Master of His Fate by J. Maclaren (James Maclaren) Cobban holds 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 2 of Master of His Fate contain?

Chapter 2 holds 185 sentences of Master of His Fate, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Master of His Fate by J. Maclaren (James Maclaren) Cobban exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 2 of Master of His Fate?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Master of His Fate

Common questions about reading Master of His Fate by J. Maclaren (James Maclaren) Cobban on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Master of His Fate?

Yes. All 1624 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #13931 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Master of His Fate is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #13931, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Master of His Fate take to read?

About 135 minutes of reading across 325 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Master of His Fate section by section

How to work through Master of His Fate section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Master of His Fate 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 Master of His Fate

Words and structures a reader meets early in Master of His Fate, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Julius
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Master of His Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Courtney
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Master of His Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hyacinth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Master of His Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Reputation
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Master of His Fate; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.