In all the modern excavations in the region of Babylonia and Assyria, including Tello, Nippur, Sippara, Borsippa, Khorsabad, and Nineveh, it has been found that the threshold, or foundation-stone, of the temple doorway is marked with inscriptions that show its peculiar sanctity; while underneath it, or near it, are frequently buried images and symbols and other treasures in evidence of its altar-like sacredness.
— from The Threshold Covenant; or, The Beginning of Religious Rites by H. Clay (Henry Clay) Trumbull

“Well, what does it matter what I think?” said Blanche, in a tone which she intended to be light and indifferent.
— from Blanche: A Story for Girls by Mrs. Molesworth

Burne-Jones painted it, Kate Vaughan danced it, Maeterlinck wrote it, the "Souls" (rather unsuccessfully) attempted to live it, the humourists caricatured it, the Philistines denounced it as morbid and unwholesome.
— from The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton. Volume II by Barrington, Russell, Mrs.

Its satire, however well directed in many ways, is too sweeping to be just every way, and is in several instances wholly undeserved.
— from The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac by William Hone

"Does it matter what I think," said Ferrers, with an attempted touch at the sentimental, "when Lord This, and Lord That, and Mr. So-and-so, and Count What-d'ye-call-him, are all making their way to you, to dispossess me of my envied monopoly?"
— from Ernest Maltravers — Volume 06 by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron