Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Luck of the Vails: A Novel
The Luck of the Vails: A Novel

Chapter XXIV

Chapter 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel is here in full — 259 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Luck of the Vails: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.
He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.
"I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.
My hansom is waiting."
Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.
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 Luck of the Vails: A Novel

Chapter XXIV

Chapter 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel is here in full — 259 sentences across 52 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.
Line 2
He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.
Line 3
"I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.
/aɪ hæd ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən hiː sed wɪtʃ aɪ wɑːz dɪˈzaɪrəs ʌv ˈtelɪŋ juː wɪˈθaʊt dɪˈleɪ/
Line 4
My hansom is waiting."
/maɪ ˈhænsəm ɪz ˈweɪtɪŋ/
Line 5
Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

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.

businesslike adjective US /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/

exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business

From this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
construe verb US /kənˈstruː/

make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hansom noun US /ˈhænsəm/

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading “My hansom is waiting."”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
imperceptible adjective US /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
indulgence noun US /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒəns/

an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires

From this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
profile noun US /ˈproʊfaɪl/

an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics

From this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thump verb US /θʌmp/

move rhythmically

From this reading “Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
usages noun US /ˈjuːsədʒəz/

plural of “usage” — the act of using

From this reading “THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.”

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.

any rate adjective + noun

In this reading “THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.”

39,605 times in 426,212 chapters
polite society adjective + noun

In this reading “THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.”

508 times in 426,212 chapters
construe into verb + particle

In this reading “He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.”

441 times in 426,212 chapters
important information adjective + noun

In this reading “"I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.”

397 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 74

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 THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
blowverbUS /bloʊ/

exhale hard

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bownounUS /baʊ/

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
brusquenessnoun

an abrupt discourteous manner

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
businesslikeadjectiveUS /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/

exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/

gathered together or made less diffuse

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
construeverbUS /kənˈstruː/

make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
delayverbUS /dɪˈleɪ/

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/

having or expressing desire for something

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Geoffrey

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Pending verification
GROSVENOR

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Pending verification
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hansomnounUS /ˈhænsəm/

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading My hansom is waiting."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

of great significance or value

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
indulgencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒəns/

an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

a message received and understood

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

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 My hansom is waiting."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MEETINGnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My hansom is waiting."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Oxted

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Pending verification
pausenounUS /pɔːz/

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
profilenounUS /ˈproʊfaɪl/

an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ratenounUS /reɪt/

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/

recurring again and again

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
riotouslyadverb

in a tumultuous and riotous manner

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SQUAREverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/

successive (without a break)

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thumpverbUS /θʌmp/

move rhythmically

From this reading Geoffrey felt his heart thump riotously, a heavy repeated blow.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
usagesnounUS /ˈjuːsədʒəz/

plural of “usage” — the act of using

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading My hansom is waiting."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He treated Lady Oxted to little more than his profile and an imperceptible pause, which indulgence might construe into a bow, then walked straight up to Geoffrey, with a face businesslike, concentrated.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE The doctor entered with the brusqueness of a man who had no knowledge of, or at any rate no regard for, the usages of polite society.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I had important information," he said, "which I was desirous of telling you without delay.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson holds 259 sentences, grouped into 52 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 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel contain?

Chapter 24 holds 259 sentences of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 52 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 259 sentences, grouped into 52 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 24 of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel?

Work through the 52 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 52 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 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 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 Luck of the Vails: A Novel

Common questions about reading The Luck of the Vails: A Novel by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel?

Yes. All 6563 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #57690 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #57690, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Luck of the Vails: A Novel take to read?

About 546 minutes of reading across 1313 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Luck of the Vails: A Novel section by section

How to work through The Luck of the Vails: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel 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 Luck of the Vails: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Luck of the Vails: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Benson
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Vails
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cloth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Romance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Luck of the Vails: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.