Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Confession of a Child of the Century
The Confession of a Child of the Century

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century is here in full — 105 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Alfred de Musset • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Confession of a Child of the Century
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.
The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.
Desgenais was rich and generous.
He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.
Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

The Confession of a Child of the Century

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century is here in full — 105 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.
Line 2
The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.
/ðə best waɪnz ə ˈsplendɪd ˈteɪbəl ˈɡeɪmɪŋ ˈdænsɪŋ ˈhʌntɪŋ ˈnʌθɪŋ wɑːz ˈlækɪŋ/
Line 3
Desgenais was rich and generous.
Line 4
He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.
/hiː kəmˈbaɪnd ænˈtiːk ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti wɪð ˈmɑːdərn ˈkʌstəm/
Line 5
Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.
/mɔːˈroʊvər wʌn kʊd ˈɔːlweɪz faɪnd ɪn hɪz haʊs ðə best bʊks hɪz ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən wɑːz ðæt ʌv ə mæn ʌv ˈlɜːrnɪŋ ənd ˈkʌltʃər/

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.

antique adjective US /ænˈtiːk/

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading “He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
combined adjective US /kəmˈbaɪnd/

made or joined or united into one

From this reading “He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
culture noun US /ˈkʌltʃər/

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading “Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gaming noun US /ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading “The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lacking adjective US /ˈlækɪŋ/

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading “The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
planned adjective US /plænd/

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading “DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reunion noun US /riˈuːnjən/

a party of former associates who have come together again

From this reading “DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wines noun US /waɪnz/

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading “The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 45

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 DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Desgenais was rich and generous.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora curated lexicon
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/

made or joined or united into one

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/

a particular society at a particular time and place

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
customnounUS /ˈkʌstəm/

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DESGENAIS

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

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Pending verification
findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gamingnounUS /ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading Desgenais was rich and generous.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
housenounUS /haʊs/

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

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
huntingnounUS /ˈhʌntɪŋ/

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reunionnounUS /riˈuːnjən/

a party of former associates who have come together again

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading Desgenais was rich and generous.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
splendidadjectiveUS /ˈsplendɪd/

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Moreover one could always find in his house the best books; his conversation was that of a man of learning and culture.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
winesnounUS /waɪnz/

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading The best wines, a splendid table, gaming, dancing, hunting, nothing was lacking.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He combined antique hospitality with modern custom.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading DESGENAIS had planned a reunion of young people at his country house.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century by Alfred de Musset holds 105 sentences, grouped into 21 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 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century contain?

Chapter 11 holds 105 sentences of The Confession of a Child of the Century, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century by Alfred de Musset exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 105 sentences, grouped into 21 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 11 of The Confession of a Child of the Century?

Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 21 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Confession of a Child of the Century

Common questions about reading The Confession of a Child of the Century by Alfred de Musset on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Confession of a Child of the Century?

Yes. All 4019 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #9869 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Confession of a Child of the Century is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #9869, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Confession of a Child of the Century take to read?

About 334 minutes of reading across 804 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Confession of a Child of the Century section by section

How to work through The Confession of a Child of the Century section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of The Confession of a Child of the Century 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 Confession of a Child of the Century

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Confession of a Child of the Century, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Explain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confession of a Child of the Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confession of a Child of the Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Taken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confession of a Child of the Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Malady
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confession of a Child of the Century; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.