Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice
The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.
Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.
When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, I have seen Switzerland.”
For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.
On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.
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 Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.
Line 2
Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.
Line 3
When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”
Line 4
For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.
Line 5
On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

All words in this reading · 64

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 When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

acquaintance

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

After

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

Agnes

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

an

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

and

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

answered

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

asked

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

brevity

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

couple

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

day

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

declined

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

errand

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

excitement

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

for

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

from

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

had

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

have

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

her

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

Highlands

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

I

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

improve

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

in

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

Introduced

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

lady

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

ladyship

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

lakes

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

London

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

lord

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

more

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

most

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

mountains

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

my

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

newly-married

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

nurse

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

of

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

On

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

one

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

only

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

positively

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

reason

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

remained

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

retirement

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

returned

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

Roman

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

Scotland

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

seen

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

sent

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

she

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

state

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

strictest

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

From this reading For a week more, the newly-married couple remained in London, in the strictest retirement.

Switzerland

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

that

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

the

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

them

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

to

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

travelling

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

uncustomary

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

was

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

week

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

From this reading After only one week of travelling in Scotland, my lord and my lady returned unexpectedly to London.

When

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

From this reading When she was asked for her reason, she answered with a Roman brevity, “I have seen Switzerland.”

which

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

From this reading On one day in that week the nurse returned in a state of most uncustomary excitement from an errand on which Agnes had sent her.

with

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

From this reading Introduced to the mountains and lakes of the Highlands, her ladyship positively declined to improve her acquaintance with them.

Chapter 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins holds 173 sentences, grouped into 35 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 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice contain?

Chapter 5 holds 173 sentences of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 173 sentences, grouped into 35 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 5 of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

Common questions about reading The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice?

Yes. All 4082 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #170 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #170, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice take to read?

About 340 minutes of reading across 817 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice section by section

How to work through The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice 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 Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Reputation
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Doctor
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wybrow
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.