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Sylvie and Bruno
Sylvie and Bruno

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Sylvie and Bruno is here in full — 111 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sylvie and Bruno
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.
This way, my Lady,” he added, this way!”
And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”
I muttered to myself with some bitterness.
And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sylvie and Bruno

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Sylvie and Bruno is here in full — 111 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.
Line 2
This way, my Lady,” he added, “this way!”
Line 3
And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”
Line 4
I muttered to myself with some bitterness.
Line 5
And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!””

All words in this reading · 58

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 And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

added

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

From this reading This way, my Lady,” he added, “this way!”

and

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

As

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

begged

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

bitterness

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

From this reading I muttered to myself with some bitterness.

breakfast

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

breakfast-saloon

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

by

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

compartment

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

course

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

door

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

early

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

entered

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

flung

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

for

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

had

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

he

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

Heroine

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

him

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

himself

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

I

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

From this reading I muttered to myself with some bitterness.

in

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

is

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

it

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

Lady

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

lovely

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

me

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

most

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

muttered

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

From this reading I muttered to myself with some bitterness.

my

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

myself

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

From this reading I muttered to myself with some bitterness.

of

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

opening

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

politeness

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

Professor

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

saying

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

scene

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

seemed

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

She

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

so

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

some

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

From this reading I muttered to myself with some bitterness.

superfluous

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

the

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

then

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

This

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

From this reading This way, my Lady,” he added, “this way!”

to

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

ushered

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

Vol

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

From this reading “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine.

wait

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

was

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

way

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

From this reading This way, my Lady,” he added, “this way!”

we

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

with

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

wouldn't

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

you

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

From this reading As we entered the breakfast-saloon, the Professor was saying “--and he had breakfast by himself, early: so he begged you wouldn't wait for him, my Lady.

young

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

From this reading And then, with (as it seemed to me) most superfluous politeness, he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “--a young and lovely lady!”

Chapter 2 of Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll holds 111 sentences, grouped into 23 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 2 of Sylvie and Bruno contain?

Chapter 2 holds 111 sentences of Sylvie and Bruno, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 111 sentences, grouped into 23 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 2 of Sylvie and Bruno?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Sylvie and Bruno

Common questions about reading Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sylvie and Bruno?

Yes. All 4359 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #620 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sylvie and Bruno is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #620, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sylvie and Bruno take to read?

About 363 minutes of reading across 872 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sylvie and Bruno section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of Sylvie and Bruno 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 Sylvie and Bruno

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sylvie and Bruno, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

People
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvie and Bruno; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cheered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvie and Bruno; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Again
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvie and Bruno; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Excited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sylvie and Bruno; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.