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Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5
Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5
Context Illustration Reading 1/66 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.
Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.
The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.
He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.
Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 is here in full — 331 sentences across 67 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/66 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.
Line 2
Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.
Line 3
The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.
/ðə ˈaʊər wen ɡoʊld wɑːz enˈtrʌstɪd tuː hɪz tʃɑːrdʒ faʊnd hɪm ˈfiːvərɪʃ ənd ˈɪrətəbəl/
Line 4
He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.
/hiː æskt hɪmˈself ˈweðər hiː wɑːz ə mɪr məˈʃiːn tuː trænˈsfɜːr ˈmʌni frʌm spɑːt tuː spɑːt ənd hiː spɜːrnd æt ðə ˈpɪtəns bɪˈstoʊd əˈpɑːn ˈɑːnəsti ɪn ðɪs laɪf/
Line 5
Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

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.

chasm noun US /ˈkæzəm/

a deep opening in the earth's surface

From this reading “So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.”

insidious adjective US /ˌɪnˈsɪdiːəs/

beguiling but harmful

From this reading “So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.”

narrowest adjective US /ˈneroʊəst/

superlative of “narrow” — not wide

From this reading “So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.”

pittance noun US /ˈpɪtəns/

an inadequate payment

From this reading “He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.”

planks noun US /plæŋks/

plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes

From this reading “So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.”

spurned adjective US /spɜːrnd/

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading “He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.”

topple verb US /ˈtɑːpəl/

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading “So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.”

transfer verb US /trænˈsfɜːr/

transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading “He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

BanknounUS /bæŋk/

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

bestowedverbUS /bɪˈstoʊd/

past form of “bestow” — present

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

Boyne's

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

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

chasmnounUS /ˈkæzəm/

a deep opening in the earth's surface

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

discoververbUS /dɪˈskʌvər/

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

entrustedverbUS /enˈtrʌstɪd/

past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/

bringing death

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

fearverbUS /fɪr/

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

featnounUS /fiːt/

a notable achievement

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/

marked by intense agitation or emotion

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

Hackbutnoun

an obsolete firearm with a long barrel

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/

with the head foremost

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnəst/

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

honestynounUS /ˈɑːnəsti/

the quality of being honest

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

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

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

insidiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪdiːəs/

beguiling but harmful

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

irritableadjectiveUS /ˈɪrətəbəl/

easily irritated or annoyed

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

latterlyadverb

in the recent past

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

losingverbUS /ˈluːzɪŋ/

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

mindsnounUS /maɪndz/

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

narrowestadjectiveUS /ˈneroʊəst/

superlative of “narrow” — not wide

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

pittancenounUS /ˈpɪtəns/

an inadequate payment

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

planksnounUS /plæŋks/

plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

precipices

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

remarkableadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/

unusual or striking

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

securitynounUS /sɪˈkjʊrəti/

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

spotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

spurnedadjectiveUS /spɜːrnd/

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

sufferverbUS /ˈsʌfər/

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

toppleverbUS /ˈtɑːpəl/

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

transferverbUS /trænˈsfɜːr/

transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Anthony Hackbut, of Boyne's Bank, had been giving himself up latterly to this fatal comparison.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

walknounUS /wɔːk/

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The hour when gold was entrusted to his charge found him feverish and irritable.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Where could Boyne's Bank discover again such an honest man as he?

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He asked himself whether he was a mere machine to transfer money from spot to spot, and he spurned at the pittance bestowed upon honesty in this life.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading So long as we do not know that we are performing any remarkable feat, we may walk upon the narrowest of planks between precipices with perfect security; but when we suffer our minds to eye the chasm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably topple headlong over.

Chapter 2 of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 by George Meredith holds 331 sentences, grouped into 67 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 Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 contain?

Chapter 2 holds 331 sentences of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5, unabridged, divided into 67 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 by George Meredith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 331 sentences, grouped into 67 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 Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5?

Work through the 67 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 67 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 Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5

Common questions about reading Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 by George Meredith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5?

Yes. All 2127 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4425 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4425, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 take to read?

About 177 minutes of reading across 426 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 section by section

How to work through Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5 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 Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5

Words and structures a reader meets early in Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Farmer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fleming
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Occupying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rhoda Fleming — Volume 5; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.