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The Blue Pavilions
The Blue Pavilions

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Blue Pavilions is here in full — 344 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Blue Pavilions
Context Illustration Reading 1/68 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.
Night had fallen.
It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.
They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.
For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.
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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 Blue Pavilions

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Blue Pavilions is here in full — 344 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.
Line 2
Night had fallen.
/naɪt hæd ˈfɑːlən/
Line 3
It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.
Line 4
They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.
Line 5
For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.
/fɔːr hæf æn ˈaʊər noʊ wɜːrd hæd bɪn ˈspoʊkən wen ˈsʌmbɑːdi tæpt æt ðə dɔːr/

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.

facing noun US /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading “It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.”

fireplace noun US /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading “It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.”

John's noun US /dʒɑːnz/

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading “It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.”

puffed adjective US /pʌft/

gathered for protruding fullness

From this reading “They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.”

recruits noun US /rəˈkruːts/

plural of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier

From this reading “THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.”

seeks noun US /siːks/

plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk

From this reading “THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.”

tapped adjective US /tæpt/

in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug

From this reading “For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.”

tobacco noun US /təˈbækoʊ/

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading “They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.”

All words in this reading · 60

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 They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

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

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

dejectedlyadverb

in a dejected manner

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

EARLnounUS /ɜːrl/

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

emptyverbUS /ˈempti/

make void or empty of contents

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Night had fallen.

fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

glownounUS /ɡloʊ/

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Night had fallen.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/

only a very short time before

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

Jemmynoun

a short crowbar

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/

a room where books are kept

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

MARLBOROUGH

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

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

NightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Night had fallen.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

pipenounUS /paɪp/

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/

gathered for protruding fullness

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

RECRUITSnounUS /rəˈkruːts/

plural of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

rednounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

SEEKSnounUS /siːks/

plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/

a person, without saying who

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

spokenadjectiveUS /ˈspoʊkən/

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/

in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty fireplace, in Captain John's library.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They were in complete darkness--for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading For half an hour no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.

Chapter 5 of The Blue Pavilions by Arthur Quiller-Couch holds 344 sentences, grouped into 69 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 5 of The Blue Pavilions contain?

Chapter 5 holds 344 sentences of The Blue Pavilions, unabridged, divided into 69 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Blue Pavilions by Arthur Quiller-Couch exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 344 sentences, grouped into 69 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 5 of The Blue Pavilions?

Work through the 69 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 69 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Blue Pavilions

Common questions about reading The Blue Pavilions by Arthur Quiller-Couch on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Blue Pavilions?

Yes. All 3949 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19977 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Blue Pavilions is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #19977, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Blue Pavilions take to read?

About 329 minutes of reading across 790 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Blue Pavilions section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of The Blue Pavilions 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 Blue Pavilions

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

Dice-box
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blue Pavilions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blue Pavilions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
O'clock
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blue Pavilions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Captain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blue Pavilions; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.