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Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda
Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PEU À PEU.
Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.
What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; for I know you want me to ask.”
Want you to ask!
Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.
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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.

Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PEU À PEU.
Line 2
Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.
Line 3
What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”
Line 4
Want you to ask!
/wɑːnt juː tuː æsk/
Line 5
Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

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.

afford verb US /əˈfɔːrd/

be able to spare or give up

From this reading “Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.”

ashamed adjective US /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading “Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.”

declare verb US /dɪˈkler/

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading “Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.”

denomination noun US /dɪˌnɔːməˈneɪʃən/

a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith

From this reading “Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.”

deserves verb US /dɪˈzɜːrvz/

third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving

From this reading “Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.”

impatient adjective US /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading “Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.”

lady's noun US /ˈleɪdiz/

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

proclaimed adjective US /proʊˈkleɪmd/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading “Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

affordverbUS /əˈfɔːrd/

be able to spare or give up

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

Delacour

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

denominationnounUS /dɪˌnɔːməˈneɪʃən/

a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

deservesverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrvz/

third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

discomposedadjective

having your composure disturbed

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

I'm

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

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

impatientadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

it's

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

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

Marriott

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/

make reference to

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

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

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

PEU

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

From this reading PEU À PEU.

Portman

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

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

superiorly

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

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

ThingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

toilettenoun

the act of dressing and preparing yourself

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Things were in this situation, when one day Marriott made her appearance at her lady’s toilette with a face which at once proclaimed that something had discomposed her, and that she was impatient to be asked what it was.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Oh, dear, my lady, no!--for I’m sure, it’s a thing that goes quite against me to tell; for I thought, indeed, my lady, _superiorly_ of the person in question; so much so, indeed, that I wished what I declare I should now be ashamed to mention, especially in the presence of Miss Portman, who deserves the best that this world can afford of every denomination.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What is the matter, Marriott?” said Lady Delacour; “for I know you want me to ask.”

À

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

From this reading PEU À PEU.

Chapter 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda by Maria Edgeworth holds 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda contain?

Chapter 23 holds 232 sentences of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda by Maria Edgeworth exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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 23 of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda

Common questions about reading Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda by Maria Edgeworth on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda?

Yes. All 7048 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #9455 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #9455, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda take to read?

About 587 minutes of reading across 1410 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda section by section

How to work through Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda 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 Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Where
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Began
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cried
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Delacour
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tales and Novels — Volume 03 Belinda; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.