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The ways of the hour
The ways of the hour

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The ways of the hour is here in full — 282 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I’ve not wrong’d her.”
Far be it from my fears.”
Then why this argument?”
My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”
_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The ways of the hour

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of The ways of the hour is here in full — 282 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I’ve not wrong’d her.”
Line 2
Far be it from my fears.”
/fɑːr biː ɪt frʌm maɪ fɪrz/
Line 3
Then why this argument?”
/ðen waɪ ðɪs ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
Line 4
My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”
Line 5
_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

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.

acquittal noun US /əˈkwɪtəl/

a judgment of not guilty

From this reading “_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.”

Anna noun US /ˈænə/

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading “_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.”

argument noun US /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/

a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading ““Then why this argument?””

eventual adjective US /əˈventʃuːəl/

expected to follow in the indefinite future from causes already operating

From this reading “_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.”

innocence noun US /ˈɪnəsəns/

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading “_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.”

jealous adjective US /ˈdʒeləs/

showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

From this reading ““My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.””

nature's noun US /ˈneɪtʃərz/

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

Sarah noun US /ˈserə/

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading “_Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.”

All words in this reading · 51

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.

acquittalnounUS /əˈkwɪtəl/

a judgment of not guilty

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

AnnanounUS /ˈænə/

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/

a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading “Then why this argument?”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

bearverbUS /ber/

have

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

confidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

eventualadjectiveUS /əˈventʃuːəl/

expected to follow in the indefinite future from causes already operating

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

FaradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

fearsnounUS /fɪrz/

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “I’ve not wrong’d her.”

I've

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

From this reading “I’ve not wrong’d her.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

innocencenounUS /ˈɪnəsəns/

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

jealousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒeləs/

showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

lordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Far be it from my fears.”

nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “I’ve not wrong’d her.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

Otway

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

SarahnounUS /ˈserə/

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

stepnounUS /step/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “Then why this argument?”

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Then why this argument?”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

trialnounUS /ˈtraɪəl/

the act of testing something

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

Updyke

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “Then why this argument?”

Wilmeter

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

From this reading _Otway._ So great was the confidence of Sarah Wilmeter and Anna Updyke in the innocence of their friend, that almost every step that the trial advanced, appeared to them as so much progress towards an eventual acquittal.

wrong'd

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

From this reading “I’ve not wrong’d her.”

you'll

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

From this reading “My lord, my nature’s jealous, and you’ll bear it.”

Chapter 27 of The ways of the hour by James Fenimore Cooper holds 282 sentences, grouped into 57 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 27 of The ways of the hour contain?

Chapter 27 holds 282 sentences of The ways of the hour, unabridged, divided into 57 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of The ways of the hour by James Fenimore Cooper exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 282 sentences, grouped into 57 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 27 of The ways of the hour?

Work through the 57 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 57 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The ways of the hour

Common questions about reading The ways of the hour by James Fenimore Cooper on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The ways of the hour?

Yes. All 7440 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #75036 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The ways of the hour is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #75036, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The ways of the hour take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1488 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The ways of the hour section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The ways of the hour

Words and structures a reader meets early in The ways of the hour, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Version
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The ways of the hour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cannot
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The ways of the hour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Represent
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The ways of the hour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Certain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The ways of the hour; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.