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The Bishop's Secret
The Bishop's Secret

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of The Bishop's Secret is here in full — 190 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
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DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.
He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.
It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.
He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.
As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Bishop's Secret

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of The Bishop's Secret is here in full — 190 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.
Line 2
He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.
Line 3
It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.
Line 4
He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.
Line 5
As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

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.

assiduous adjective US /əˈsɪdwəs/

marked by care and persistent effort

From this reading “DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.”

Baltic noun US /ˈbɔːltɪk/

a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy

From this reading “He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.”

dea noun US /diː/

federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations governing narcotics and controlled substances; goal is to immobilize drug trafficking organizations

From this reading “DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.”

dwellers noun US /ˈdwelərz/

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading “As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.”

exonerated adjective US /ɪɡˈzɑːnəreɪtɪd/

freed from any question of guilt

From this reading “It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.”

prevalent adjective US /ˈprevələnt/

most frequent or common

From this reading “As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.”

smoother noun US /ˈsmuːðər/

a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor

From this reading “DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.”

Wren noun US /ren/

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading “DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

arrestverbUS /ərˈest/

take into custody

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

assiduousadjectiveUS /əˈsɪdwəs/

marked by care and persistent effort

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

BalticnounUS /ˈbɔːltɪk/

a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

BellnounUS /bel/

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

Beorminster

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

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

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 He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

ceasedverbUS /siːst/

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

committedadjectiveUS /kəˈmɪtɪd/

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

crimenounUS /kraɪm/

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

DEAnounUS /diː/

federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations governing narcotics and controlled substances; goal is to immobilize drug trafficking organizations

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

dwellersnounUS /ˈdwelərz/

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

egotismnounUS /ˈiːɡətɪzəm/

an exaggerated opinion of your own importance

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

else

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

enlightenedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənd/

having knowledge and spiritual insight

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

EXnounUS /eks/

a man who was formerly a certain woman's husband

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

exoneratedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɑːnəreɪtɪd/

freed from any question of guilt

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

GabrielnounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəl/

(Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

guessedverbUS /ɡest/

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

ignorantadjectiveUS /ˈɪɡnərənt/

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

impendingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpendɪŋ/

close in time; about to occur

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/

United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/

held dear

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

Mab

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

MACHINA

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

moonnounUS /muːn/

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

Mosk

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

Mosk's

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

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

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

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

Pendle

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

prevalentadjectiveUS /ˈprevələnt/

most frequent or common

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

reassuredadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/

having confidence restored; freed from anxiety

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

relievedadjectiveUS /rɪˈliːvd/

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

smoothernounUS /ˈsmuːðər/

a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

suspicionnounUS /səˈspɪʃən/

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/

by that means or because of that

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading As it was, the hot excitement prevalent in Beorminster left him cold, and both he and Mab might have been dwellers in the moon for all the interest they displayed in the topic of the day.

trialnounUS /ˈtraɪəl/

the act of testing something

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

vileadjectiveUS /vaɪl/

morally reprehensible

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/

someone who visits

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He and Mab were all in all to one another, and in the egotism of their love did not trouble themselves about the doings of their neighbours.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It is true that George was relieved and pleased to hear of Mosk's arrest and confession, because Gabriel was thereby exonerated from all suspicion of having committed a vile crime; but when reassured on this point, he ceased to interest himself in the matter.

WrennounUS /ren/

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading DEA EX MACHINA As may be guessed, Captain Pendle, now that the course of true love ran smoother, was an assiduous visitor to the Jenny Wren house.

wretchedadjectiveUS /ˈretʃɪd/

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading He was ignorant that his brother loved Bell Mosk, as neither Baltic nor the bishop had so far enlightened him, else he might not have been quite so indifferent to the impending trial of the wretched criminal.

Chapter 38 of The Bishop's Secret by Fergus Hume holds 190 sentences, grouped into 38 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 38 of The Bishop's Secret contain?

Chapter 38 holds 190 sentences of The Bishop's Secret, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 38 of The Bishop's Secret by Fergus Hume exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 190 sentences, grouped into 38 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 38 of The Bishop's Secret?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 38 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 38 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 Bishop's Secret

Common questions about reading The Bishop's Secret by Fergus Hume on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Bishop's Secret?

Yes. All 6504 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #23474 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Bishop's Secret is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #23474, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Bishop's Secret take to read?

About 542 minutes of reading across 1301 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Bishop's Secret section by section

How to work through The Bishop's Secret section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 The Bishop's Secret

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Bishop's Secret, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bishop's Secret; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mystery
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bishop's Secret; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hansom
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bishop's Secret; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Defense
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bishop's Secret; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.