The man is by trade a conjurer and performer, going round the canteens after nightfall, and giving a little entertainment at each.
— from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

A terrific confab goes on in the cabin for nearly an hour between the dragoman, the governor, and the Greek; a lively entertainment and exhibition of character which we have no desire to curtail.
— from My Winter on the Nile Eighteenth Edition by Charles Dudley Warner

Thistledown was as gay and gallant a little Elf as ever spread a wing.
— from Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott

Sir Colin Campbell might well get a little excited, and express his admiration of the Scots Greys.
— from A Soldier's Experience; or, A Voice from the Ranks Showing the Cost of War in Blood and Treasure. A Personal Narrative of the Crimean Campaign, from the Standpoint of the Ranks; the Indian Mutiny, and Some of its Atrocities; the Afghan Campaigns of 1863 by T. (Timothy) Gowing

And when the splendid portfolio is displayed, or the richly-wrought tapestry expanded by outstretched arms, and cavaliers gaze, and ladies envy, and every eye is busy in examination, and every tongue loud in praise, just in the inverted proportion of the ability of the one to scrutinize with accuracy, and the other to applaud with taste—then to throw round the secret silent glance, that searches for that eye whose light alone, to her intoxicated gaze, contains all judgment, all taste, all feeling—for that lip whose very censure would be dearer than the applause of a world!—To hear, with soft and submissive tranquillity, censure and remark, praise and comment, but to turn for ever the appealing look to one who alone can understand, and whose swiftly-answering glance can alone reward it!—This—this had been Isidora’s hope.
— from Melmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 3 (of 4) by Charles Robert Maturin

Beside him stood Grey, also looking expectant, and every now and then covertly glancing at his watch behind his master's back.
— from Leslie's Loyalty by Charles Garvice

Hence it may be received as a rule, that a single chain of passing-scuttles is abundantly sufficient to supply powder for a division of guns as large even as eight of a side; and that it is also sufficient when both sides of such a division are to be used at once, for then the firing of each piece is unavoidably retarded by the division of the guns' crews.
— from Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Department. Bureau of Ordnance

He gained a lateral elevation about eighty yards distant from the enemy's defenses and held it firmly.
— from Chattanooga or Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge from Moccasin Point by Wood, Bradford Ripley, Jr.