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The Light Princess
The Light Princess

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Light Princess is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Light Princess
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.
Heigh-ho!"
This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.
Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.
For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.
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 Light Princess

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Light Princess is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.
Line 2
Heigh-ho!"
Line 3
This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.
Line 4
Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.
Line 5
For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

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.

Alone adjective US /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading “Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

Another

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

any

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

balcony

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

be

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

being

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

consideration

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

consisting

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

contemplating

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

cortege

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

could

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

darling

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

enjoyed

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

fear

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

flash

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

fond

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

for

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

freedom

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

gravity

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

had

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

headlong

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

Heigh-ho

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

From this reading Heigh-ho!"

her

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

horse

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

I

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

if

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

in

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

into

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

it

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

liberties

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

light

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

like

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

long

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

made

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

might

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

my

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

not

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

of

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

off

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

Oh

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

only

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

other

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

out

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

part

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

people

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

reason

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

From this reading Another reason for her being fond of the water was that in it alone she enjoyed any freedom.

sea-bird

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

she

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

take

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

that

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

the

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

this

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

thought

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

to

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

troop

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

walk

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

was

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

water

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

wetness

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

which

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

white

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

wind

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

wish

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

From this reading This was the only consideration that made her wish to be like other people.

with

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

without

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

From this reading For she could not walk out without a cortege, consisting in part of a troop of light horse, for fear of the liberties which the wind might take with her.

would

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

From this reading "Oh! if I had my gravity," thought she, contemplating the water, "I would flash off this balcony like a long white sea-bird, headlong into the darling wetness.

Chapter 3 of The Light Princess by George MacDonald holds 184 sentences, grouped into 37 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 3 of The Light Princess contain?

Chapter 3 holds 184 sentences of The Light Princess, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Light Princess by George MacDonald exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 184 sentences, grouped into 37 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 3 of The Light Princess?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Light Princess

Common questions about reading The Light Princess by George MacDonald on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Light Princess?

Yes. All 958 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #697 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Light Princess is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #697, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Light Princess take to read?

About 79 minutes of reading across 192 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Light Princess section by section

How to work through The Light Princess section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of The Light Princess 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 Light Princess

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Light Princess, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Children
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Light Princess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Won't
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Light Princess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Can't
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Light Princess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Where
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Light Princess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.