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Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of Northanger Abbey is here in full — 64 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Northanger Abbey
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:
_Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.
I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.
I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.
Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Northanger Abbey

Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

Chapter 28 of Northanger Abbey is here in full — 64 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:
Line 2
_Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.
Line 3
I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.
Line 4
I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.
Line 5
Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

All words in this reading · 78

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 _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

almost

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

always

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

am

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

and

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

answering

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

apologies

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

April

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

ashamed

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

Bath

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

been

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

begin

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

brought

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

but

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

by

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

can

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

Catherine

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

day

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

dearest

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

delight

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

direct

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

every

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

find

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

following

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

for

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

from

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

greatest

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

had

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

hand

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

have

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

home

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

horrid

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

I

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

idleness

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

in

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

Isabella

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

kind

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

left

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

letter

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

letters

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

make

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

me

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

morning

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

My

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

next

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

not

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

nothing

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

of

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

one

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

or

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

other

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

own

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

pen

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

place

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

Pray

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

prevented

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

quite

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

really

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

received

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

silly

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

since

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

some

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

soon

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

sooner

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

The

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

them

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

this

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

thousand

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

time

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

From this reading I really am quite ashamed of my idleness; but in this horrid place one can find time for nothing.

to

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

trifler

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

two

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

unexpected

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

very

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

From this reading The next morning brought the following very unexpected letter from Isabella:

with

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

write

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

From this reading Pray write to me soon, and direct to my own home.

you

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

From this reading I have had my pen in my hand to begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath, but have always been prevented by some silly trifler or other.

your

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

From this reading _Bath, April_ My dearest Catherine, I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight, and have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner.

Chapter 28 of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen holds 64 sentences, grouped into 13 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 28 of Northanger Abbey contain?

Chapter 28 holds 64 sentences of Northanger Abbey, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 28 of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 64 sentences, grouped into 13 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 28 of Northanger Abbey?

Work through the 13 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 13 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 28 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 28 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 Northanger Abbey

Common questions about reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Northanger Abbey?

Yes. All 3218 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #121 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Northanger Abbey is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #121, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Northanger Abbey take to read?

About 268 minutes of reading across 644 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Northanger Abbey section by section

How to work through Northanger Abbey section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of Northanger Abbey 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 Northanger Abbey

Words and structures a reader meets early in Northanger Abbey, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Finished
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Intended
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Immediate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.