Chapter 1 of Lucile is here in full — 1836 sentences across 368 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Lucile is here in full — 1836 sentences across 368 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
CANTO I. LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE. "I hear from Bigorre you are there. I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy. Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
Chapter 1 of Lucile is here in full — 1836 sentences across 368 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/367 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading “LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.”
the highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music
From this reading “CANTO I.”
put in effect
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
promise solemnly and formally
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading “Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I hear from Bigorre you are there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hear from Bigorre you are there.
the highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music
From this reading CANTO I.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
put in effect
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
the act of departing
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "I hear from Bigorre you are there.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading CANTO I.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
immediately past
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
take in marriage
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
promise solemnly and formally
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
in the near future
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I hear from Bigorre you are there.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I am told You are going to marry Miss Darcy.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
at the time that
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I hear from Bigorre you are there.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Of old, So long since you may have forgotten it now (When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow), Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will-- A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
Chapter 1 of Lucile by Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, Earl of Lytton holds 1836 sentences, grouped into 368 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.
Chapter 1 holds 1836 sentences of Lucile, unabridged, divided into 368 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Lucile by Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, Earl of Lytton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 1836 sentences, grouped into 368 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.
Work through the 368 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 368 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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.
Common questions about reading Lucile by Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, Earl of Lytton on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 4019 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1852 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #1852, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 334 minutes of reading across 804 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Lucile section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 2 chapters of Lucile to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Lucile, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
