“Precisely so(Exactly; that is correct). But(However) how(an unfinished question indicating the speaker was interrupted)—”
“Was(past tense of 'be', used to form a question [wɑz]) there(used to indicate the existence of something [ðɛr]) a secret marriage(a marriage that was kept hidden from the public)?”
“None(not any; not one).”
“No(not any) legal papers(official documents recognized by law) or(used to introduce an alternative [ər]) certificates(official documents attesting to a fact)?”
“None(not any; not one).”
“Then(as a result or consequence [ðɛn]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) fail(be unsuccessful; not achieve [feɪl]) to(used to indicate purpose or intention [tɪ]) follow(understand [ˈfɑloʊ]) your Majesty(a formal address to a king, queen, or emperor [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]). If(introducing a conditional clause) this young person(referring to the individual in question, likely the opera singer) should(used to express a possibility or condition [ʃʊd]) produce(present or show) her(belonging to the young person [hər]) letters(written communications) for(indicating purpose [fər]) blackmailing(extorting money by threatening to reveal damaging information) or(used to introduce an alternative [ər]) other purposes(different reasons or intentions), how(in what way or manner) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) she(referring to the young person [ʃi]) to(used to indicate purpose or intention [tɪ]) prove(demonstrate the truth or existence of something) their(belonging to the letters [ðɛr]) authenticity(the quality of being genuine or real)?”
“There is(Indicates the presence or existence of something, in this case, 'the writing' [ðɛr ɪz]) the writing(Refers to a written document or text. [ðə ˈraɪtɪŋ)]).”
“Pooh, pooh(An expression of dismissal or contempt. [pu pu])! Forgery(The action of forging or producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art. [ˈfɔrʤəri)]).”
“My private(Belonging to me and intended for my personal use only [maɪ ˈpraɪvət]) note-paper(Paper used for writing notes or letters. [note-paper-)])).”
“Stolen(Taken dishonestly; acquired by theft. [ˈstoʊlən)]).”
“My own(Belonging to me personally; not someone else's [maɪ oʊn]) seal(A device with a unique design used to authenticate documents or close containers. [sil)]).”
“Imitated(Copied or simulated. [ˈɪməˌteɪtɪd)]).”
“My photograph(A picture taken using a camera. [maɪ ˈfoʊtəˌgræf)]).”
“Bought(Acquired by paying for it. [bɔt)]).”
“We were(Indicates that the speaker and at least one other person were involved [wi wər]) both(Refers to two people or things [boʊθ]) in the photograph(Located within the image captured by the camera. [ɪn ðə ˈfoʊtəˌgræf)]).”
“Oh, dear(An expression of dismay or concern. [oʊ dɪr])! That is(Refers to a specific situation or action [ðət ɪz]) very bad(Extremely unfavorable or undesirable. [ˈvɛri bæd])! Your Majesty(A title used to address a king, queen, emperor, or empress. [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]) has indeed(Emphasizes the truth or certainty of a statement [həz ˌɪnˈdid]) committed(Carried out or perpetrated [kəˈmɪtɪd]) an indiscretion(An action lacking in judgment or care. [ən ˌɪndɪˈskrɛʃən)]).”
“I was(Refers to the speaker's past state [aɪ wɑz]) mad—insane(Mentally disturbed; not of sound mind. [mad-insane-)])).”
“You have(Indicates that the person being addressed has done something [ju hæv]) compromised(Placed in a situation where one's reputation or integrity is at risk [ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪzd]) yourself(Refers to the person being addressed [ˈjɔrsɛlf]) seriously(To a great extent; gravely. [ˈsɪriəsli)]).”
“I was(Refers to the speaker's past state [aɪ wɑz]) only(Merely; just [ˈoʊnli]) Crown Prince(The heir apparent to the throne [kraʊn prɪns]) then(At that time in the past. [ðɛn]). I was(Refers to the speaker's past state [aɪ wɑz]) young(In an early stage of life. [jəŋ]). I am(Refers to the speaker's current state [aɪ æm]) but(Only; merely [bət]) thirty(The age of 30 [ˈθərˌdi]) now(At the present time. [naʊ)]).”
“It must(Refers to something that is necessary or required [ɪt məst]) be recovered(Retrieved or regained. [bi rɪˈkəvərd)]).”
“We have(Indicates that a group of people, including the speaker, has done something [wi hæv]) tried(Made an attempt or effort [traɪd]) and failed(Been unsuccessful. [ənd feɪld)]).”
“Your Majesty(A title used to address a king, queen, emperor, or empress. [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]) must pay(Is obligated to provide money. [məst peɪ]). It must(Refers to something that is necessary or required [ɪt məst]) be bought(Acquired by paying for it. [bi bɔt)]).”
“She will(Refers to a female person and her future action [ʃi wɪl]) not sell(Refuse to exchange something for money. [nɑt sɛl)]).”
“Stolen, then(Taken dishonestly; acquired by theft. Indicates a decision to steal if buying is not possible. [ˈstoʊlən ðɛn)]).”
“Five attempts have been made(Indicates that there have been five tries or efforts to achieve something. [faɪv əˈtɛmpts hæv bɪn meɪd]). Twice(Means two times. [twaɪs]) burglars in my pay(Burglars who are being paid by the speaker. [ˈbərglərz ɪn maɪ peɪ]) ransacked(Searched thoroughly in a destructive and often illegal manner. [ˈrænˌsækt]) her house(The house belonging to a female person previously mentioned. [hər haʊs]). Once(Means one time. [wəns]) we diverted(We changed the direction or course of something. [wi dɪˈvərtɪd]) her luggage(The bags and suitcases containing a traveler's belongings. [hər ˈləgɪʤ]) when she travelled(At the time she was traveling. [wɪn ʃi ˈtrævəld]). Twice(Means two times. [twaɪs]) she has been waylaid(She has been stopped or intercepted, often unexpectedly and sometimes with malicious intent. [ʃi həz bɪn ˈweɪˌleɪd]). There has been no result(Indicates that all the attempts have not produced any outcome or success. [ðɛr həz bɪn noʊ rɪˈzəlt]).”
“No sign of it(A question asking if there is any indication or evidence of something. [noʊ saɪn əv ɪt])?”
“Absolutely none(Indicates that there is no sign or evidence at all. [ˌæbsəˈlutli nən]).”
Holmes laughed(Holmes, presumably a character, expressed amusement by laughing. [hoʊmz læft]). “It is quite a pretty little problem(The speaker finds the problem interesting or appealing in a minor way. [ɪt ɪz kwaɪt ə ˈprɪti ˈlɪtəl ˈprɑbləm]),” said he(He, referring to Holmes, said something. [sɛd hi]).
“But a very serious one to me(The speaker emphasizes that the problem is significant and concerning to them personally. [bət ə ˈvɛri ˈsɪriəs wən tɪ mi]),” returned the King reproachfully(The King replied in a manner expressing disapproval or blame. [rɪˈtərnd ðə kɪŋ reproachfully]).
“Very, indeed(An emphatic agreement or confirmation. [ˈvɛri ˌɪnˈdid]). And what does she propose to do with the photograph(Asking about the plans of a female person regarding a photograph. [ənd wət dɪz ʃi prəˈpoʊz tɪ du wɪθ ðə ˈfoʊtəˌgræf])?”
“To ruin me(The intention is to cause the speaker's downfall or destruction. [tɪ ruɪn mi]).”
“But how(Asking for the method or means by which the speaker will be ruined. [bət haʊ])?”
“I am about to be married(The speaker is planning to get married in the near future. [aɪ æm əˈbaʊt tɪ bi ˈmɛrid]).”
“So I have heard(The speaker indicates that they are already aware of the upcoming marriage. [soʊ aɪ hæv hərd]).”
“To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia(Identifying the person the speaker is marrying, including her full name, title, and parentage. [tɪ clotilde lothman vɔn saxe-meningen ˈsɛkənd ˈdɔtər əv ðə kɪŋ əv ˌskændɪˈneɪviə]). You may know the strict principles of her family(Suggesting that the listener is aware of the high moral standards of the bride's family. [ju meɪ noʊ ðə strɪkt ˈprɪnsəpəlz əv hər ˈfæməli]). She is herself the very soul of delicacy(Emphasizing the bride's refined and sensitive nature. [ʃi ɪz hərˈsɛlf ðə ˈvɛri soʊl əv ˈdɛlɪkəsi]). A shadow of a doubt(Even the slightest suspicion. [ə ˈʃæˌdoʊ əv ə daʊt]) as to my conduct(Regarding the speaker's behavior or actions. [ɛz tɪ maɪ ˈkɑndəkt]) would bring the matter to an end(Would cause the marriage plans to be terminated. [wʊd brɪŋ ðə ˈmætər tɪ ən ɛnd]).”
“And Irene Adler(A question indicating the speaker is bringing up the topic of Irene Adler. [ənd aɪˈrin ˈædlər])?”
“Threatens(States that someone is making a declaration of an intent to punish or harm someone for action done or not done. [θˈrɛtənz]) to send(to dispatch something to a destination [tɪ sɛnd]) them(refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood in the context [ðɛm]) the photograph(a picture or image recorded by a camera [ðə ˈfoʊtəˌgræf]). And she will do it(Confirmation that she will carry out the threat [ənd ʃi wɪl du ɪt]). I know(Expresses certainty or understanding [aɪ noʊ]) that she will do it(reiterates the certainty of her action [ðət ʃi wɪl du ɪt]). You do not know her(Indicates the listener is unfamiliar with the person being discussed [ju du nɑt noʊ hər]), but she has a soul of steel(metaphorically describes her as having a strong, unyielding, and determined character [bət ʃi həz ə soʊl əv stil]). She has the face of the most beautiful of women(Describes her physical appearance as exceptionally attractive [ʃi həz ðə feɪs əv ðə moʊst ˈbjutəfəl əv ˈwɪmən]), and the mind of the most resolute of men(Indicates she possesses a strong, determined, and unwavering intellect [ənd ðə maɪnd əv ðə moʊst ˈrɛzəˌlut əv mɛn]). Rather than(Instead of; in preference to [ˈrəðər ðən]) I should marry another woman(The speaker marrying someone else [aɪ ʃʊd ˈmɛri əˈnəðər ˈwʊmən]), there are no lengths to which she would not go(She would do anything, no matter how extreme, to prevent it [ðɛr ər noʊ lɛŋθs tɪ wɪʧ ʃi wʊd nɑt goʊ])—none(Emphasizes that there are absolutely no limits to what she would do [nən]).”
“You are sure(Asking for confirmation about something [ju ər ʃʊr]) that she has not sent it yet(Questioning whether she has already sent the photograph. [ðət ʃi həz nɑt sɛnt ɪt jɛt])?”
“I am sure(Confirms the speaker's certainty about something. [aɪ æm ʃʊr]).”
“And why(Asks for the reason behind a statement or situation. [ənd waɪ])?”
“Because(Introducing the reason or explanation for something [bɪˈkəz]) she has said(States that she communicated something verbally [ʃi həz sɛd]) that she would send it(She declared her intention to send the photograph [ðət ʃi wʊd sɛnd ɪt]) on the day(Specifies a particular day [ɔn ðə deɪ]) when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed(The day the engagement is officially announced [wɪn ðə betrothal wɑz ˈpəblɪkli proʊˈkleɪmd]). That will be next Monday(Specifies that the day of the announcement is the upcoming Monday. [ðət wɪl bi nɛkst ˈmənˌdeɪ]).”