Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete
Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.
She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.
And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.
Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.
It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.
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.

Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete is here in full — 88 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.
Line 2
She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.
/ʃiː hæd seɪvd ðə kwiːnz laɪf əˈpɑːn meɪ deɪ ənd ɑːn ðə ˈiːvnɪŋ ʌv ðæt deɪ ðə kwiːn hæd sent fɔːr hɜːr hæd meɪd sʌtʃ haɪ ənd ˈtendər ækˈnɑːlɪdʒmənt ʌv hɜːr det æz wʊd siːm tuː ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ fɔːr hɜːr pərˈpetʃuːəl ˈɑːnər/
Line 3
And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.
/ənd wʌt ɪˈlɪzəbəθ sed ʃiː ment bʌt ɪn ə laɪf set ɪn ˈfɔːrəsts ʌv ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz ənd əˈpoʊzɪŋ ˈɪntrəsts ðə pəˈlɪtəkəl ˈoʊvərlæpt ðə ˈpɜːrsɪnəl ɪn hɜːr ˈneɪtʃər/
Line 4
Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.
Line 5
It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

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.

allying verb US /ˈælaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “ally” — become an ally or associate, as by a treaty or marriage

From this reading “Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.”

astute adjective US /əˈstuːt/

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading “It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.”

complications noun US /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating

From this reading “And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.”

dangling noun US /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/

the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)

From this reading “Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.”

diplomacy noun US /dɪˈploʊməsi/

negotiation between nations

From this reading “It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.”

overlapped verb US /ˈoʊvərlæpt/

inflected form of “overlap” — coincide partially or wholly

From this reading “And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.”

pawn noun US /pɔːn/

an article deposited as security

From this reading “Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.”

resorted verb US /rɪˈzɔːrtɪd/

past form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading “It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.”

All words in this reading · 114

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 And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

acknowledgmentnounUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒmənt/

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

advanceverbUS /ədˈvæns/

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/

moving forward

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

allyingverbUS /ˈælaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “ally” — become an ally or associate, as by a treaty or marriage

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

Angele

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

astuteadjectiveUS /əˈstuːt/

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

complicationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

crownnounUS /kraʊn/

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/

the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

DaynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

debtnounUS /det/

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

diplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/

negotiation between nations

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/

open to doubt or suspicion

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

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

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

favoursnounUS /ˈfeɪvərz/

plural of “favour” — a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

forestsnounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

hangsnounUS /hæŋz/

plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/

the state of being honored

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

how

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

interestsnounUS /ˈɪntrəsts/

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/

show to be right by providing justification or proof

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

meantverbUS /ment/

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

opposingadjectiveUS /əˈpoʊzɪŋ/

characterized by active hostility

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

others

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

overlappedverbUS /ˈoʊvərlæpt/

inflected form of “overlap” — coincide partially or wholly

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

pawnnounUS /pɔːn/

an article deposited as security

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/

(of games) engaged in

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

powersnounUS /ˈpaʊərz/

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

princesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəz/

plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

QueennounUS /kwiːn/

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

Queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/

possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

resortedverbUS /rɪˈzɔːrtɪd/

past form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/

-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

tenderadjectiveUS /ˈtendər/

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

to-day

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

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

to-morrow

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

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And what Elizabeth said she meant; but in a life set in forests of complications and opposing interests the political overlapped the personal in her nature.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was not a beautiful thing in a woman, but it was what a woman could do; and, denied other powers given to men--as to her father--she resorted to astute but doubtful devices to advance her diplomacy.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Thus it was that she had kept the princes of the world dangling, advancing towards marriage with them, retreating suddenly, setting off one house against the other, allying herself to one European power to-day, with another to-morrow, her own person and her crown the pawn with which she played.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She had saved the Queen's life upon May Day, and on the evening of that day the Queen had sent for her, had made such high and tender acknowledgment of her debt as would seem to justify for her perpetual honour.

wretchedadjectiveUS /ˈretʃɪd/

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading Angele had come to know, as others in like case have ever done, how wretched indeed is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours.

Chapter 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker holds 88 sentences, grouped into 18 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 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete contain?

Chapter 16 holds 88 sentences of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 88 sentences, grouped into 18 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 16 of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete

Common questions about reading Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete?

Yes. All 2518 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6253 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6253, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete take to read?

About 209 minutes of reading across 504 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete section by section

How to work through Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete 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 Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete

Words and structures a reader meets early in Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Southampton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Search
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Register
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Walloon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.