Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part
Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part is here in full — 396 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!
Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"
In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.
The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.
Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.
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.

Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part is here in full — 396 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!
Line 2
Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"
Line 3
In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.
Line 4
The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.
Line 5
Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

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.

behaving verb US /bɪˈheɪvɪŋ/

-ing form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading “"You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!”

Damocles noun US /ˈdæməkliːz/

the Greek courtier to Dionysius the Elder who (according to legend) was condemned to sit under a naked sword that was suspended by a hair in order to demonstrate to him that being a king was not the happy state Damocles had said it was (4th century BC)

From this reading “The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.”

employing verb US /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading “The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.”

endearment noun US /ɪnˈdɪrmənt/

the act of showing affection

From this reading “The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.”

looming verb US /ˈluːmɪŋ/

-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading “In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.”

tacticians noun US /tækˈtɪʃənz/

plural of “tactician” — a person who is skilled at planning tactics

From this reading “Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.”

tattooed verb US /ˌtæˈtuːd/

past form of “tattoo” — stain (skin) with indelible color

From this reading “Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.”

unforeseen adjective US /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

not anticipated

From this reading “The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

Adolphe

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

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

allowsverbUS /əˈlaʊz/

third-person singular of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

authoritiesnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

behavingverbUS /bɪˈheɪvɪŋ/

-ing form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

conceivableadjectiveUS /kənˈsiːvəbəl/

capable of being imagined

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/

a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

DamoclesnounUS /ˈdæməkliːz/

the Greek courtier to Dionysius the Elder who (according to legend) was condemned to sit under a naked sword that was suspended by a hair in order to demonstrate to him that being a king was not the happy state Damocles had said it was (4th century BC)

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

Deschars

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

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

don't

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

From this reading Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

employingverbUS /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

endearmentnounUS /ɪnˈdɪrmənt/

the act of showing affection

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

finallyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnəli/

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

findsnounUS /faɪndz/

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

foreveradverbUS /fərˈevər/

for a limitless time

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/

a social unit living together

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

idioticadjectiveUS /ˌɪdiˈɑːtɪk/

insanely irresponsible

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/

-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

militaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɪləteri/

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

MonsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

pinverbUS /pɪn/

to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

policenounUS /pəˈliːs/

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

pretexts

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

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

self-lovenoun

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/

express a supposition

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

swordnounUS /sɔːrd/

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

tacticiansnounUS /tækˈtɪʃənz/

plural of “tactician” — a person who is skilled at planning tactics

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

tattooedverbUS /ˌtæˈtuːd/

past form of “tattoo” — stain (skin) with indelible color

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

termsnounUS /tɜːrmz/

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Adolphe, stung till he finds himself tattooed, finally does what is done by police authorities, by officers of government, by military tacticians.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

unforeseenadjectiveUS /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

not anticipated

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why don't you take Monsieur Deschars for a model?"

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/

having won

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading The expression--"Do you suppose Monsieur Deschars ever allows himself" --is a sword of Damocles, or what is worse, a Damocles pin: and your self-love is the cushion into which your wife is constantly sticking it, pulling it out, and sticking it in again, under a variety of unforeseen pretexts, at the same time employing the most winning terms of endearment, and with the most agreeable little ways.

wouldn't

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

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You wouldn't see Monsieur Deschars behaving like this!

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In short, this idiotic Monsieur Deschars is forever looming up in your household on every conceivable occasion.

Chapter 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part by Honoré de Balzac holds 396 sentences, grouped into 80 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 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part contain?

Chapter 3 holds 396 sentences of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part by Honoré de Balzac exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 396 sentences, grouped into 80 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 3 of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part

Common questions about reading Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part by Honoré de Balzac on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part?

Yes. All 1607 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6033 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6033, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part take to read?

About 133 minutes of reading across 322 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part section by section

How to work through Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part 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 Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part

Words and structures a reader meets early in Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Every
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Impressions
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Marriage
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friend
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Petty Troubles of Married Life, First Part; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.