He simply gazed into my face with wonder and rapture, in order to find out, so he at last managed to tell me in strange confusion, how a man looked who that very day was to face such an exceptional fate.
— from My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner

"The lady who asked the question whether women may be instructed in the modern system of botany, consistently with female delicacy?" was accused of ridiculous prudery: nevertheless, if she had proposed the question to me, I should certainly have answered—They cannot.
— from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects by Mary Wollstonecraft

The appearance of the plain was changed during this short interval; the encampment was broken up; the relics of the disbanded army met in small companies here and there; each face was clouded; every gesture spoke astonishment and dismay.
— from The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

And maun I still, &c. H2 anchor To A Mountain Daisy, On turning down with the Plough, in April, 1786.
— from Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Robert Burns

She would have known as much if she could have analysed her feelings, but this thing which she now felt aroused by his great feeling broke down the barriers between them.
— from Sister Carrie: A Novel by Theodore Dreiser

In order to cover the expense involved in handling these supplies, the manufacturers in some cases have agreed to allow National Headquarters the same trade discount allowed to local dealers.
— from Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America

"Let me in; oh, let me in," she could hear a woman's voice, and opened the door, and a lass flung herself inside.
— from The McBrides A Romance of Arran by John Sillars

Young though he was, he already knew the taste of rabbit's flesh, and would growl masterfully at his own mother if she claimed his attention—say, for a washing—when he had stolen one of her bones, and was busily engaged in gnawing and scraping it with his pin-point teeth.
— from Jan: A Dog and a Romance by A. J. (Alec John) Dawson

By the light of the tapers burning before the image of the saint to whom the chapel was dedicated, they looked at each other for a moment in silence, clasping hands, and mutually amazed at their daring.
— from The Works of Honoré de Balzac: About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita, and Other Stories by Honoré de Balzac

If the very vicar of Christ, who hath all knowledge as it were fast lockt in the Coffer of his brest, could be deceiued, lette no man maruel any more if simple credulous husbandmen and citezens haue
— from Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night And of Straunge Noyses, Crackes, and Sundrie Forewarnings, Which Commonly Happen Before the Death of Men: Great Slaughters, and Alterations of Kingdoms by Ludwig Lavater

The next morning I sought Captain Hill, and asked permission to return home, when the following colloquy ensued.
— from The Iron Furnace; or, Slavery and Secession by John H. (John Hill) Aughey

How am I to protect Grace, how am I to protect myself, if she comes here again?”
— from The New Magdalen by Wilkie Collins

Had the girl had greater experience with men, more hardihood and less modesty; if she could have approached him, and taken his hands and pressed them to her bosom; if she had had the courage to force upon him the mysterious influence of physical contact, Stephen's control would have melted in the kindled fire.
— from Six Women by Victoria Cross

But I am glad you are not angry with me in sincerity,” casting herself as she spoke into the arms of her friend, and continuing, with a tone of apologetic fondness, while she kissed her on either side of the face; “you know, my dear Fleming, that I have to contend with both my father's lofty pride, and with my mother's high spirit—God bless them!
— from The Abbot by Walter Scott

It is true, indeed, that the architects may in some cases have adopted this form, in places where there was difficulty in obtaining the stone required for the corners of a square tower, as being the most convenient for a building composed of flint only; but that they did not always choose this form as a mere matter of convenience, and not for its own peculiar beauty, is evident from the fact that in the construction of some round towers not only flint, but also stone, is largely employed.
— from Stones of the Temple; Or, Lessons from the Fabric and Furniture of the Church by Walter Field