Tales and Novels — Volume 05

Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

Chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 is here in full — 182 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Maria Edgeworth • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Tales and Novels — Volume 05

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

“Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

I never, till now, knew how much power kindness has to touch the mind in the moment of distress; nor did I ever, till now, feel how deeply the eloquence of true piety sinks into the heart.

This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXIX Reading 1/36

Tales and Novels — Volume 05 Maria Edgeworth

Chapter XXIX

Chapter 29

Chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 is here in full — 182 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

“Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection. I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor. I never, till now, knew how much power kindness has to touch the mind in the moment of distress; nor did I ever, till now, feel how deeply the eloquence of true piety sinks into the heart. This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self. From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

Tales and Novels — Volume 05

Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

Chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 is here in full — 182 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

“Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

/bɪˈfɔːr juː ˈoʊ.pən ðɪs ˈletər juː wɪl hæv hɜːrd ˈprɑːbəbliː ðæt maɪ ˈʌŋkəl ðə ˈbɪʃəp ʌv hæz ˈteɪkən miː ˈʌndər hɪz prəˈtekʃən/

Line 2

I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

Line 3

I never, till now, knew how much power kindness has to touch the mind in the moment of distress; nor did I ever, till now, feel how deeply the eloquence of true piety sinks into the heart.

Line 4

This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

/ðɪs ˈeksələnt frend wɪl aɪ hoʊp ɪn taɪm rɪˈstɔːr miː tuː maɪ ˈbetər self/

Line 5

From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

/frʌm ðə æbˈstrækʃən ðə ˈselfɪʃnəs ʌv ˈpæʃən aɪ θɪŋk aɪ æm ɔːlˈredi ˈsʌmˈwʌt rəˈkʌvərd/

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.

abstraction noun US /æbˈstrækʃən/

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

From this reading “From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.”

eloquence noun US /ˈel.ə.kwəns/

Fluent, persuasive, and graceful speaking or writing. (Sự hùng biện, tài ăn nói lưu loát.)

From this reading “I never, till now, knew how much power kindness has to touch the mind in the moment of distress; nor did I ever, till now, feel how deeply the eloquence of true piety sinks into the heart.”

Mentor noun US /ˈmentɔːr/

a wise and trusted guide and advisor

From this reading “I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.”

piety noun US /ˈpaɪəti/

righteousness by virtue of being pious

protection noun US /prəˈtekʃən/

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading ““Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.”

restore verb US /rɪˈstɔːr/

return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading “This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.”

selfishness noun US /ˈselfɪʃnəs/

stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others

From this reading “From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.”

sinks noun US /sɪŋks/

plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe

All words in this reading · 77

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 I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

BishopnounUS /ˈbɪʃəp/

a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

blessedadjectiveUS /blest/

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

cannot

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

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading I never, till now, knew how much power kindness has to touch the mind in the moment of distress; nor did I ever, till now, feel how deeply the eloquence of true piety sinks into the heart.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/

psychological suffering

eloquencenounUS /ˈel.ə.kwəns/

Fluent, persuasive, and graceful speaking or writing. (Sự hùng biện, tài ăn nói lưu loát.)

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

how

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

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

MentornounUS /ˈmentɔːr/

a wise and trusted guide and advisor

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

passionnounUS /ˈpæʃən/

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/

righteousness by virtue of being pious

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

probablyadverbUS /ˈprɑːbəbliː/

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

protectionnounUS /prəˈtekʃən/

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

recoveredadjectiveUS /rəˈkʌvərd/

freed from illness or injury

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

regretverbUS /rəˈɡret/

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

restoreverbUS /rɪˈstɔːr/

return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

selfnounUS /self/

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

selfishnessnounUS /ˈselfɪʃnəs/

stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

sinksnounUS /sɪŋks/

plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/

to a sufficient degree

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading From the abstraction, the selfishness of passion, I think I am already somewhat recovered.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading This excellent friend will, I hope, in time restore me to my better self.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/

make physical contact with, come in contact with

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading I cannot sufficiently regret that I was not a few years, a few months, sooner, blessed with such a Mentor.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Before you open this letter, you will have heard, probably, that my uncle, the Bishop of ----, has taken me under his protection.

Chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 by Maria Edgeworth holds 182 sentences, grouped into 37 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 contain?

Chapter 29 holds 182 sentences of Tales and Novels — Volume 05, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 29 of Tales and Novels — Volume 05 by Maria Edgeworth exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 182 sentences, grouped into 37 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 29 can be played aloud in United States English.

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Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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