Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Czar
The Czar

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Czar is here in full — 198 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Deborah Alcock • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Czar
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.
“He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”
GEORGE ELIOT.
Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.
The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.
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 Czar

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The Czar is here in full — 198 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.
/ðə ˈpɜːrpəl broʊˈkeɪd wʌns mɔːr/
Line 2
“He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”
/hiː sez ɡɑːd bles hɪm ˈɔːlmoʊst wɪð ə sɑːb æz ðə ɡreɪt ˈhɪroʊ ˈpæsəz hiː ɪz ɡlæd ðə wɜːrld hoʊldz ˈmaɪti men ənd ˈmaɪti diːdz/
Line 3
GEORGE ELIOT.
/dʒɔːrdʒ ˈeliət/
Line 4
Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.
Line 5
The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

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.

brocade noun US /broʊˈkeɪd/

thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

From this reading “THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
consisted verb US /kənˈsɪstəd/

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading “The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eliot noun US /ˈeliət/

British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)

From this reading “GEORGE ELIOT.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
excluded verb US /ɪkˈskluːdəd/

past form of “exclude” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading “The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
formally adverb US /ˈfɔːrməli/

with official authorization

From this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
parlour noun US /ˈpɑːrlər/

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
proposal noun US /prəˈpoʊzəl/

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sob verb US /sɑːb/

weep convulsively

From this reading ““He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.””

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

previous evening adjective + noun

In this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

2,777 times in 225,867 chapters
mighty deeds adjective + noun

In this reading ““He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.””

223 times in 225,867 chapters
four days noun + noun

In this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

8,558 times in 225,867 chapters
ONCE MORE adverb + adjective

anew

In this reading “THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.”

110,081 times in 225,867 chapters
immediately concerned adverb + adjective

In this reading “The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.”

167 times in 225,867 chapters
of course preposition + noun

as might be expected

In this reading “The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.”

307,822 times in 225,867 chapters
consisted only verb + particle counted as “consist only”

In this reading “The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.”

659 times in 225,867 chapters
in the parlour preposition + article + noun counted as “in … parlour”

In this reading “Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.”

2,333 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 67

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 “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
blessverbUS /bles/

give a benediction to

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BROCADEnounUS /broʊˈkeɪd/

thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

From this reading THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Clémence

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Pending verification
concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/

deem to be

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
councilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
deedsnounUS /diːdz/

performance of moral or religious acts

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ELIOTnounUS /ˈeliət/

British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)

From this reading GEORGE ELIOT.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
excludedverbUS /ɪkˈskluːdəd/

past form of “exclude” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
formallyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrməli/

with official authorization

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 GEORGE ELIOT.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Henri

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

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

Pending verification
heronounUS /ˈhɪroʊ/

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Ivan

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Pending verification
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MOREadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ONCEadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PURPLEnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/

a purple color or pigment

From this reading THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Salgues

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Pending verification
saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sobverbUS /sɑːb/

weep convulsively

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Talmont

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Pending verification
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PURPLE BROCADE ONCE MORE.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThreenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Three or four days later, a solemn council met in the parlour of Madame de Salgues to consider the proposal for the hand of Clémence formally made the previous evening by Ivan to Madame de Talmont.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The council consisted only of three persons--Madame de Salgues, Madame de Talmont, and Henri--the two most immediately concerned being, as a matter of course, excluded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “He says, ‘God bless him!’ almost with a sob, As the great hero passes; he is glad The world holds mighty men and mighty deeds.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 27 of The Czar by Deborah Alcock holds 198 sentences, grouped into 40 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 27 of The Czar contain?

Chapter 27 holds 198 sentences of The Czar, unabridged, divided into 40 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of The Czar by Deborah Alcock exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 198 sentences, grouped into 40 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 27 of The Czar?

Work through the 40 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 40 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 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 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 Czar

Common questions about reading The Czar by Deborah Alcock on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Czar?

Yes. All 7341 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #49782 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Czar is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #49782, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Czar take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1469 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Czar section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Czar 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 Czar

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

First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Czar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Napoleon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Czar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Czar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edinburgh
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Czar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.