When it is birth alone, independent of wealth, which classes men in society, everyone knows exactly what his own position is upon the social scale; he does not seek to rise, he does not fear to sink.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville

“I’m just wondering to myself if she ever knew how near she was to being My Lady.” “How near, or how far off, you mean!” “No, I don’t!
— from Luttrell Of Arran by Charles James Lever

If she would have talked about bringing up young children, infant health and disease, baths, powders, pap and teething, she might have kept the Major at her side by the hour; for the new responsibilities of a parent weighed heavily upon him, and he had no one to advise with, Lady Caroline having forgotten all she ever knew on such matters, if she ever knew anything.
— from Inchbracken: The Story of a Fama Clamosa by Robert Cleland

It gives me the chance to say to you"--her voice softened and wavered here, as she looked around the dear old room, reminiscent in every detail of our youth--"to say to you that, wherever my duty may be, my heart is here, here under this roof where I was so happy, and where the two best men I shall ever know loved me so tenderly, so truly, as daughter and sister."
— from In the Valley by Harold Frederic

This tazza, now in the possession of the writer, is perhaps the most important signed example known, and represents the triumph of Time; it is one of a service decorated with orange scale-work on the yellow ground of the reverse, and of which other pieces still exist.
— from Maiolica by C. Drury E. (Charles Drury Edward) Fortnum

Tell me at this solemn hour—see, the dawn of the last morning I shall ever know on earth is streaking the east—speak, and let the thought of it bless my dying hour—do you love me still?"
— from Captain Kyd; or, The Wizard of the Sea. Vol. II by J. H. (Joseph Holt) Ingraham

"As far as his dagger is concerned he is, and is champion of the party of the man I slew, Elias Khan.
— from A Noble Queen: A Romance of Indian History (Volume 1 of 3) by Meadows Taylor

"No, missy; his wife an' two chil'en wuz bu'nt up on de steamboat gwine ter New 'Leans, some twenty years ergo; an' de folks sez dat's wat makes 'im sich er kintankrus man.
— from Diddie, Dumps, and Tot; Or, Plantation Child-Life by Louise Clarke Pyrnelle