Lightwood replies that he was consulted certainly, but could give no opinion which would pay off the Bill of Sale, and therefore violates no confidence in supposing that it came of their living beyond their means.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

In young, childish, ignorant souls there is constantly this blind trust in some unshapen chance: it is as hard to a boy or girl to believe that a great wretchedness will actually befall them as to believe that they will die.
— from Adam Bede by George Eliot

And to make this quite clear I say that I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack them; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot show themselves against the enemy in the field, but are forced to defend themselves by sheltering behind walls.
— from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

This was our talk: and then to talk of other things, of the Navy in general: and, among other things, he did tell me that he do hear how the Duke of Buckingham hath a spite at me, which I knew before, but value it not: and he tells me that Sir T. Allen is not my friend; but for all this I am not much troubled, for I know myself so usefull that, as I believe, they will not part with me; so I thank God my condition is such that I can; retire, and be able to live with comfort, though not with abundance.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

I asked my cousin if she thought it could be a dream, and she replied that she was just about to ask me the same question; and then we both wondered if we were both asleep, and if so, who was the real one that was dreaming, and who was the one that was only a dream; it got quite interesting.
— from Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome

The blacksmith is mistaken, not perhaps in saying that the blow was divine, but certainly in saying that it came by a miracle.
— from The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

This ventilator Archer had taken down, and had contrived it so that it could be easily removed and replaced at pleasure; but, upon examination, it was now perceived that the hole had been newly stopped up by an iron back, which it was impossible to penetrate or remove.
— from The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for Children by Maria Edgeworth

Ever since the conquest in September, the imperial city had gradually assumed a state somewhat more orderly than was possible immediately after the siege.
— from The History of the Indian Revolt and of the Expeditions to Persia, China and Japan, 1856-7-8 by George Dodd

In the course of this interview General Pillow and General Twiggs came in, stating that, in consequence of the darkness and having no guide, they had found it impracticable to reach the village, and were obliged to retrace their steps; Pillow adding that they fell upon one of the enemy’s pickets while thus groping their way, or came so near as plainly to hear their voices.
— from The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume 1 (of 2) by Hazard Stevens

186 THE PORCUPINE I T may appear out of place to discuss this creature which has no sportive quality whatever, but its trail is so conspicuous in snow that it cannot be passed without being noticed, and the tyro, attracted by the size of the tracks, will in many instances follow it, thinking he is on the trail of something else.
— from Tracks and Tracking by Josef Brunner

Oh, what wouldn't I give to have courage enough to take my own life; but I lack that courage; I suffer terribly, I cry, I wring my hands, and yet I live.
— from The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I by Jules Lermina

Mahomedans (Saracens), in Turcomania; in and near Mausul; their universal hatred of Christians; in Tauris; in Persia; their hypocrisy about wine; at Yezd; Hormuz; Cobinan; Tonocain; Sapurgan; Taican; Badakhshan, Wakhan, etc.; Kashgar; strife with Christians in Samarkand; Yarkand; Khotan; Pein; Charchan; Lop; Tangut; Chingintalas; Kanchau; Sinju; Egrigaia; Tenduc, their half-breed progeny; in northern frontier of China, alleged origin of: their gibes at Christians; Kúblái's dislike of; in Yun-nan; in Champa; in Sumatra; troops in Ceylon; pilgrims to Adam's Peak; honour St. Thomas; in Kesmacoran; in Madagascar; in Abyssinia; in Aden; outrage by; at Esher; Dufar; Calatu; Hormuz; Ahmad Sultan one.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2 by Rustichello of Pisa

Appeal to prospective pioneers whilst the opening year of the Ten Year Crusade is speeding to its close, to expedite entry into unopened areas contributing thereby to the enhancement of the celebrations of the coming Ridván rendered memorable by the swift, magnificent victories achieved in the pioneering field, unsurpassed in the course of the eleven decades of Bahá’í history.
— from Messages to the Bahá'í World: 1950–1957 by Effendi Shoghi

When I had thanked him for the kindness, he said that inasmuch as I was to leave him, he would inform me that the regiment to which I had just been appointed was ordered out as part of a column directed to make a raid to the south of the enemy, then occupying Corinth, and that if I could turn over my property, it would probably be well for me to join my command immediately, so that I could go with the expedition.
— from Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army — Complete by Philip Henry Sheridan