The evening, by restoring Graham to the maternal roof (his days were passed at school), brought us an accession of animation—a quality not diminished by the nature of the scenes pretty sure to be enacted between him and Miss Paulina.
— from Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Even when she scolded me—which she did, now and then, very tartly—it was in such a way as did not humiliate, and left no sting; it was rather like an irascible mother rating her daughter, than a harsh mistress lecturing a dependant: lecture, indeed, she could not, though she could occasionally storm.
— from Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Being well acquainted with the inveteracy of these curs, I was about to betake myself to my heels, when my uncle seized me with one hand, brandished his cudgel with the other, and at one blow laid Caesar sprawling on the ground; but, finding himself attacked at the same time in the rear by Jowler, and fearing Caesar might recover, he drew his hanger, wheeled about, and by a lucky stroke severed Jowler's head from his body.
— from The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. (Tobias) Smollett

I found everything to be as Madame R—— had described it.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova

The 40th, Stephen Doo, Henry Walmond; mayor, Richard Hardle, draper.
— from The Survey of London by John Stow

"'The thrush hath taken him a she, The robin, too, and eke the dove; My Robin hath deserted me, And left me for another love.
— from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

In men's clubs such celebrations were, though expiring, less uncommon; but either the natural shyness of the softer sex, or a sarcastic attitude on the part of male relatives, had denuded such women's clubs as remained (if any other did) or this their glory and consummation.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy

But an interrogation, πύσμα, is a thing to which it is not possible to make an answer symbolically, as in the case of a question, ἐρώτημα, saying merely “Yes,” but we must reply, “He does live in this place.”
— from The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laertius

The crowd of strangers who daily swarmed about her from all parts, and the certainty I was in that these people sought only to dupe her, each in his particular mode, rendered home disagreeable.
— from The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I do not know for what reason, for he is a person who fears neither God nor man, and has not a single good point about him; he is green, black, and deep yellow; he is ten years older than my son; it is incredible how many, millions this mercenary rogue has drawn from him.
— from Court Memoirs of France Series — Complete by Various

In another of his fanciful moods, Radwalader had described it as a sapiently ordered dinner: and this, too, now that his eyes were opened, Andrew understood.
— from The Transgression of Andrew Vane: A Novel by Guy Wetmore Carryl

He listened intently for sounds from the canyon, but could hear nothing, and with much relief he decided that he must have been mistaken and that he would be safe from immediate pursuit.
— from With Hoops of Steel by Florence Finch Kelly

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, merci fully to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord.
— from The Book of Common Prayer and The Scottish Liturgy by Episcopal Church in Scotland

Perhaps Gemisthus, to make us believe more easily that he was descended from heaven, and to engage us to receive more readily his doctrine and his new law, wished to change his name, according to the manner of the ancient patriarchs, of whom it is said, that at the time the name was changed they were called to the greatest things.
— from Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 by Isaac Disraeli

'Sheilah' was third, with the late Mr. Pascoe French as pilot, and last, though only some 45 seconds behind (p. 120) the leader, came the 'Challenge,' with a crew who had come over from Liverpool in her or by steamer, and comprised the cream of the Mersey and Cheshire yacht clubs, among them Mr. Richardson, her designer, who now handled the lines.
— from Yachting, Vol. 2 by Dufferin and Ava, Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquis of

I have administered My country faithfully—victoriously— 370 I dare them to the proof, the chart of what She was and is: my reign has doubled realms; And, in reward, the gratitude of Venice Has left, or is about to leave, me single.
— from The Works of Lord Byron. Vol. 5 Poetry by Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron

[Pg 52] Not a reef and not a shiver, While the wind jeers in her shrouds, And the flauts of foam and sea-fog Swarm upon her deck in crowds, Flies the Scud like a mad racer; And with iron in his frown, Holding hard by wrath and dreadnought, Arnold, Master, rides her down.
— from Ballads of Lost Haven: A Book of the Sea by Bliss Carman