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The Black Robe
The Black Robe

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Black Robe is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Black Robe
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.
I.
_To Mr. Bitrake.
Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.
The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.
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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.

The Black Robe

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Black Robe is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.
Line 2
I.
/aɪ/
Line 3
_To Mr. Bitrake.
Line 4
Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.
Line 5
The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

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.

confidential adjective US /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading “Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.”

correspondence noun US /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading “FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.”

employing verb US /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading “The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.”

exclude verb US /ɪkˈskluːd/

prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading “Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.”

incapable adjective US /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading “The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.”

injure verb US /ˈɪndʒər/

cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading “Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.”

introduction noun US /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading “The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.”

unbecoming adjective US /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

From this reading “The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.”

All words in this reading · 47

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 Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

BENWELL'S

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

From this reading FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.

Bitrake

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

From this reading _To Mr. Bitrake.

ConfidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

connectionnounUS /kəˈnekʃən/

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

CORRESPONDENCEnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

employingverbUS /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

excludeverbUS /ɪkˈskluːd/

prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

FATHERnounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading FATHER BENWELL’S CORRESPONDENCE.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

inclosed

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

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

injureverbUS /ˈɪndʒər/

cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

lawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading _To Mr. Bitrake.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/

occurring from time to time

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

PrivateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

SIRnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

superintendencenoun

management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _To Mr. Bitrake.

unbecomingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The inclosed letter of introduction will satisfy you that I am incapable of employing your experience in a manner unbecoming to you, or to myself.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Private and Confidential._ SIR--I understand that your connection with the law does not exclude your occasional superintendence of confidential inquiries, which are not of a nature to injure your professional position.

Chapter 10 of The Black Robe by Wilkie Collins holds 159 sentences, grouped into 32 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 10 of The Black Robe contain?

Chapter 10 holds 159 sentences of The Black Robe, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Black Robe by Wilkie Collins exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 159 sentences, grouped into 32 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 10 of The Black Robe?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 Black Robe

Common questions about reading The Black Robe by Wilkie Collins on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Black Robe?

Yes. All 6846 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1587 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Black Robe is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1587, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Black Robe take to read?

About 570 minutes of reading across 1370 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Black Robe section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Black Robe 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 The Black Robe

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

Confidences
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Robe; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Upper
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Robe; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Palatial
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Robe; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Houses
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Robe; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.