VELMORA ACADEMY

Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies

Menu Close

The Ambassadors

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Ambassadors is here in full — 225 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Henry James • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Ambassadors

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

“Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

“And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

“Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XXVI Reading 1/45

The Ambassadors Henry James

Cover illustration for The Ambassadors

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Ambassadors is here in full — 225 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

“Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey. Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued. “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.” “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!” Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

The Ambassadors

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Ambassadors is here in full — 225 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

“Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

Line 2

Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

Line 3

“And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

Line 4

“Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

Line 5

Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

All words in this reading · 70

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.

a

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

about

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

added

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

admit

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

Ah

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

And

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

answered

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

any

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

anything

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

as

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

by

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

conscious

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

cordially

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

courage

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

dear

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

do

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

else

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

everything

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

for

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

from

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

gaiety

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

Gostrey

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

have

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

he

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

her

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

his

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

I

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

I'm

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

indeed

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

isn't

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

it

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

knows

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

like

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

matter

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

means

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

Miss

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

mother

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

Mr

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

Mrs

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

must

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

my

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

no

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

notion

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

of

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

Oh

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

one

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

or

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

Pocock

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

promptly

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

protested

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

pursued

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

Sarah

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

she's

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

Strether

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

sturdily

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

sure

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

talking

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

that

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

the

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

to

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

told

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

who

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

From this reading “Ah it isn’t _I_ who ‘like,’ dear Mr. Strether, anything to do with the matter!”

whom

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

with

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

woman

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

wonderful

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

From this reading “And I cordially admit,” he added with his conscious gaiety of courage, “that she’s as wonderful a woman as you like.”

yes

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

From this reading “Oh yes indeed,” Strether answered for her, “Mrs. Pocock knows about Miss Gostrey.

you

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

you're

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

From this reading Sarah Pocock promptly protested; “and I’m by no means sure I have—from my mother or from any one else—a notion of whom you’re talking about.”

Your

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

From this reading Your mother, Sarah, must have told you about her; your mother knows everything,” he sturdily pursued.

Chapter 26 of The Ambassadors by Henry James holds 225 sentences, grouped into 45 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 26 of The Ambassadors contain?

Chapter 26 holds 225 sentences of The Ambassadors, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of The Ambassadors by Henry James exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 225 sentences, grouped into 45 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 26 of The Ambassadors?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 The Ambassadors

Common questions about reading The Ambassadors by Henry James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Ambassadors?

Yes. All 9031 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #432 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Ambassadors is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #432, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Ambassadors take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1807 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Ambassadors section by section

How to work through The Ambassadors section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Ambassadors to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Ambassadors

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Ambassadors, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Preface: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Ambassadors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Ambassadors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Second: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Ambassadors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Third: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Ambassadors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.