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The Grand Babylon Hôtel
The Grand Babylon Hôtel

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel is here in full — 218 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Grand Babylon Hôtel
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Exactly, your Highness, but--’ But what?
You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.
You also agreed to the rate of interest.
It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.
And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.
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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 Grand Babylon Hôtel

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel is here in full — 218 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?
/ɪɡˈzæktli jɔːr ˈhaɪnəs bʌt bʌt wʌt/
Line 2
You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.
/juː mʌnθs əˈɡoʊ ɪkˈsprest ðə ˈwɔːrməst ˌsætəˈsfækʃən æt ðə sɪˈkjʊrəti ðoʊ aɪ æm kwaɪt priˈperd tuː ədˈmɪt ðæt ðə sɪˈkjʊrəti ɪz ʌv ˈræðər æn əˈnjuːʒuːəl ˈneɪtʃər/
Line 3
You also agreed to the rate of interest.
/juː ˈɔːlsoʊ əˈɡriːd tuː ðə reɪt ʌv ˈɪntrəst/
Line 4
It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.
Line 5
And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.
/ənd ɪn ten jɪrz ðə hoʊl əˈmaʊnt wɪl biː peɪd bæk/

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.

cent noun US /sent/

a fractional monetary unit of several countries

From this reading “It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.”

Highness noun US /ˈhaɪnəs/

(Your Highness or His Highness or Her Highness) title used to address a royal person

From this reading “‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?”

lend verb US /lend/

bestow a quality on

From this reading “It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.”

Levi noun US /ˈliːvaɪ/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel

From this reading “It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.”

million noun US /ˈmɪljən/

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading “It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.”

per preposition US /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading “It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.”

security noun US /sɪˈkjʊrəti/

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading “You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.”

warmest adjective US /ˈwɔːrməst/

superlative of “warm” — having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading “You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

1

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

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

2

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

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

5

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

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

agreedadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːd/

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading You also agreed to the rate of interest.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading You also agreed to the rate of interest.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/

a quantity of money

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

centnounUS /sent/

a fractional monetary unit of several countries

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

ExactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading ‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?

expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/

communicated in words

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

HighnessnounUS /ˈhaɪnəs/

(Your Highness or His Highness or Her Highness) title used to address a royal person

From this reading ‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading You also agreed to the rate of interest.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

lendverbUS /lend/

bestow a quality on

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

LevinounUS /ˈliːvaɪ/

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

perprepositionUS /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

ratenounUS /reɪt/

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading You also agreed to the rate of interest.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

securitynounUS /sɪˈkjʊrəti/

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

unusualadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəl/

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

warmestadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrməst/

superlative of “warm” — having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading ‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It is not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading And in ten years the whole amount will be paid back.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of rather an unusual nature.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘Exactly, your Highness, but--’ ‘But what?

Chapter 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel by Arnold Bennett holds 218 sentences, grouped into 44 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 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel contain?

Chapter 17 holds 218 sentences of The Grand Babylon Hôtel, unabridged, divided into 44 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel by Arnold Bennett exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 218 sentences, grouped into 44 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 17 of The Grand Babylon Hôtel?

Work through the 44 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 44 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Grand Babylon Hôtel

Common questions about reading The Grand Babylon Hôtel by Arnold Bennett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Grand Babylon Hôtel?

Yes. All 4952 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2813 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Grand Babylon Hôtel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2813, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Grand Babylon Hôtel take to read?

About 412 minutes of reading across 991 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Grand Babylon Hôtel section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of The Grand Babylon Hôtel 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 Grand Babylon Hôtel

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

Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Grand Babylon Hôtel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Three
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Grand Babylon Hôtel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Grand Babylon Hôtel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arrival
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Grand Babylon Hôtel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.