D’Artagnan observed, on the bench nearest to the pillar against which Porthos leaned, a sort of ripe beauty, rather yellow and rather dry, but erect and haughty under her black hood.
— from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

I am willing,—I said,—to exercise your ingenuity in a rational and contemplative manner.—No, I do not proscribe certain forms of philosophical speculation which involve an approach to the absurd or the ludicrous, such as you may find, for example, in the folio of the Reverend Father Thomas Sanchez, in his famous Disputations, “De Sancto Matrimonio.” I will therefore turn this levity of yours to profit by reading you a rhymed problem, wrought out by my friend the Professor.
— from The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Now you have drawn near to hearken, O Blue Raven; you are resting directly overhead, ada´wehi.
— from The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 301-398 by James Mooney

Thereupon Paul Bert replied, "You are right; it is better to die at my post than for me to quit Tonquin at the present moment."
— from Flowers of Freethought (Second Series) by G. W. (George William) Foote

If my suit be refused, you are ruined; and will it in that case be prudent to permit her to espouse that young Mitchell, who will likewise be reduced to penury?
— from The Mysteries of London, v. 4/4 by George W. M. (George William MacArthur) Reynolds

I will therefore turn this levity of yours to profit by reading you a rhymed problem, wrought out by my friend the Professor.
— from The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 11, September, 1858 A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics by Various

My grandfather rose, and we took a sort of formal leave; but it was not a formal leave, after all, it was high breeding, respecting yourself and respecting others.
— from Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Frederick Marryat

I am willing,—I said,—to exercise your ingenuity in a rational and contemplative manner.—No, I do not proscribe certain forms of philosophical speculation which involve an approach to the absurd or the ludicrous, such as you may find, for example, in the folio of the Reverend Father Thomas Sanchez, in his famous Disputations, "De Sancto Matrimonio." I will therefore turn this levity of yours to profit by reading you a rhymed problem, wrought out by my friend the Professor.
— from Complete Project Gutenberg Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Works by Oliver Wendell Holmes

"And now, young sir," said the Preacher, when he had answered all the eager questions of Barnabas as fully as he might, "now, young sir, you know I have small cause to love the man—Chichester, but, remember, you are rich already, and if you take this heritage also,—he will be destitute."
— from The Amateur Gentleman by Jeffery Farnol