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The Circular Staircase

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 162 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mary Roberts Rinehart • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Circular Staircase

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

“I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

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 XXIII Reading 1/32

The Circular Staircase

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Circular Staircase is here in full — 162 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

Line 2

Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

Line 3

Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

Line 4

“I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

Line 5

What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

All words in this reading · 57

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 “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

About

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

and

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

are

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

around

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

at

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

been

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

bundle

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

BURNED

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

came

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

corner

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

declare

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

declared

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

did

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

Eliza

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

every

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

front

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

Gertrude

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

had

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

her

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

housemaids

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

I

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

if

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

in

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

into

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

jumping

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

Liddy

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

living-room

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

men

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

nerves

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

night

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

nine

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

Now

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

From this reading Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

o'clock

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

of

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

on

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

From this reading Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

one

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

pettishly

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

From this reading Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

reported

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

said

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

see

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

seen

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

she

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

sitting

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

slip

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

some

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

sound

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

stable

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

STABLES

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

staring

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

From this reading Gertrude had been sitting staring in front of her, jumping at every sound.

that

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

THE

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

turned

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

From this reading Now she turned on Liddy pettishly.

two

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

What

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

From this reading What if Eliza did see some men around the stable?

WHILE

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

From this reading WHILE THE STABLES BURNED About nine o’clock that night Liddy came into the living-room and reported that one of the housemaids declared she had seen two men slip around the corner of the stable.

you

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

From this reading “I declare, Liddy,” she said, “you are a bundle of nerves.

Chapter 23 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart holds 162 sentences, grouped into 33 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 23 of The Circular Staircase contain?

Chapter 23 holds 162 sentences of The Circular Staircase, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 162 sentences, grouped into 33 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 23 of The Circular Staircase?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Circular Staircase

Common questions about reading The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Circular Staircase?

Yes. All 4811 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #434 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Circular Staircase is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #434, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Circular Staircase take to read?

About 400 minutes of reading across 963 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Circular Staircase section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Circular Staircase 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 Circular Staircase

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

Story: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Middle-aged: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spinster: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Deserted: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circular Staircase; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.