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The Duchesse of Langeais

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Honoré de Balzac • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Duchesse of Langeais

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

“Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

She began to shiver violently.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XIII Reading 1/31

The Duchesse of Langeais Honoré de Balzac

Cover illustration for The Duchesse of Langeais

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais is here in full — 159 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

“Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened. I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.” The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening. Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life. She began to shiver violently.

The Duchesse of Langeais

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais 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

“Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

Line 2

I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

Line 3

The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

Line 4

Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

Line 5

She began to shiver violently.

All words in this reading · 66

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.

across

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

afraid

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

after

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

again

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

all

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

an

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

and

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

answer

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

as

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

at

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

ballroom

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

began

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

From this reading She began to shiver violently.

changed

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

chimney-piece

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

coachman

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

come

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

course

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

Duchess

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

Duchesse

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

extraordinary

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

gaiety

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

had

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

happened

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

have

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

her

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

I

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

in

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

is

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

just

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

la

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

life

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

looking

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

made

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

man

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

midst

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

might

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

mirrors

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

Mme

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

no

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

of

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

opening

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

recollected

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

room

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

round

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

scene

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

seeking

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

sensation

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

she

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

shiver

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

From this reading She began to shiver violently.

something

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

Swiss

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

Switzerland

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

tall

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

terrific

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

that

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

the

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

Then

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

tipsy

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

to

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

From this reading She began to shiver violently.

trace

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

From this reading The Duchess made no answer; she was looking round the room, at the chimney-piece and the tall mirrors, seeking the trace of an opening.

violently

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

From this reading She began to shiver violently.

was

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

From this reading “Mme la Duchesse, I was afraid that something might have happened.

which

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

whole

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

with

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

From this reading Then with an extraordinary sensation she recollected that she was again in the midst of the gaiety of the ballroom after that terrific scene which had changed the whole course of her life.

your

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

From this reading I have just come across your coachman, the man is as tipsy as all the Swiss in Switzerland.”

Chapter 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais by Honoré de Balzac 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 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais contain?

Chapter 13 holds 159 sentences of The Duchesse of Langeais, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais by Honoré de Balzac 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 13 of The Duchesse of Langeais?

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 13 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 13 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 Duchesse of Langeais

Common questions about reading The Duchesse of Langeais by Honoré de Balzac on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Duchesse of Langeais?

Yes. All 2669 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #469 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Duchesse of Langeais is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #469, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Duchesse of Langeais take to read?

About 222 minutes of reading across 534 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Duchesse of Langeais section by section

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

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Choose one of the 17 chapters of The Duchesse of Langeais to begin.
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Vocabulary met early in The Duchesse of Langeais

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

Duchesse: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Duchesse of Langeais; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Langeais: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Duchesse of Langeais; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Second: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Duchesse of Langeais; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Trilogy: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Duchesse of Langeais; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.