Unnumbered centuries have elapsed since the saint lived; nay, generation upon generation has perished since any complete knowledge of his life or character existed, save in mouldering manuscripts left by monks, themselves long turned to dust; yet the tradition of the saint as regards the well is there, a living thing beside its waters.
— from British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes

Say—Say, it's funny; I've been coming here ever since the shop opened and—” With arch surprise.
— from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis

Ice-cold seems heaven’s noble glow To spirits whose vital heat is hell; And to corrupt hearts even so The songs I sing, the tale I tell.
— from The Angel in the House by Coventry Patmore

The matron rich in rites and vows Turned her to Ráma's Maithil spouse, And questioned thus in turn to hear A pleasant tale to charm her ear: “Sítá, 'tis said that Raghu's son Thy hand, mid gathered suitors, won.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki

Evelyn sat down and closed her eyes, so that she might enjoy more intensely the magic of this Maytime.
— from Sister Teresa by George Moore

He closed his eyes slowly, thus signifying that there was, then, opening them again, he glanced toward the nurse.
— from The Heatherford Fortune a sequel to the Magic Cameo by Sheldon, Georgie, Mrs.

A few seconds brought him to what was left of his unfortunate comrade; his eyes seemed to start from his head as he felt over the crushed wreck.
— from Faery Lands of the South Seas by James Norman Hall

He was about to ask his companion for an explanation, when the latter, suddenly collecting his energies, struck the spurs into his horse, and, calling to them to follow, galloped off upon the cattle-track.
— from The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico by Mayne Reid

We will have a meal, and it won't be at a contract hotel, either," said the showman, with a twinkle in his eyes.
— from The Circus Boys on the Plains; Or, The Young Advance Agents Ahead of the Show by Edgar B. P. Darlington

No tender sentence of inspiration, not the words of Christ himself, ever struck the same chord in these two women's hearts, bringing both into sudden unison.
— from John Marchmont's Legacy, Volumes 1-3 by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon

Even the saloon reeked of the sickening odour, while through the open skylight I could hear every sound: the short, quick orders of the doctor, the splashing of the water, the convulsive movements of the insensible patient, the clatter of the instruments and even the sharp, rasping noise of the saw, and finally the distressing groans of the man as he recovered consciousness.
— from The Treasure of the "San Philipo" by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

After acknowledging that more than a quarter of a century has elapsed since this subject first engaged my attention, it may be useless for me to ask any indulgence from criticism.
— from The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences by Edward Hitchcock