“No, no,” I cried eagerly, “you need have no fear of that.
— from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

“No. I cannot expect you to believe it.
— from The Time Machine by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

"Oh, no, I can excuse you," he said, with smiling lips but moist eyes.
— from Nature's Serial Story by Edward Payson Roe

Small singing birds live from eight to eighteen years: the nightingale, in captivity, eight years, but longer according to some writers: the blackbird, in captivity, twelve years, but both these birds live longer in the natural state.
— from Essays Upon Heredity and Kindred Biological Problems Authorised Translation by August Weismann

However, as you know me not, I cannot expect you to attribute to me qualities that are indeed now rare; yet, holding myself bound by that very honour which we speak of, to deliver the letter that I bear to no one but him for whom it was destined, unless you tell me you are indeed that person, I must carry it back with me."
— from Agincourt: A Romance The Works of G. P. R. James, Volume XX by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James

this name is collected every year at Battle, in Sussex, by the Constable, one penny from every householder, and paid to the Lord of the Manor.
— from Notes and Queries, Number 38, July 20, 1850 by Various

But let us talk of this oath, for now I can explain your silence.
— from The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 3 of 6 by Eugène Sue

Sus 1:22 Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.
— from Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible Apocrypha by Anonymous

WASHINGTON, February 20, 1864. WARREN JORDAN, NASHVILLE: In county elections you had better stand by Governor Johnson's plan; otherwise you will have conflict and confusion.
— from The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 7: 1863-1865 by Abraham Lincoln

“I mean, yes, I mean that now I can explain your hesitation, your constraint, your embarrassment; but what I cannot explain, is that you could have the cruelty to play this disgraceful rôle toward a man who has devoted his entire life to you.”
— from The Knight of Malta by Eugène Sue

She raises her eyes and her soul towards the God whom she loves and fears more than anything in the world, and she says: “I am straitened on every side, for if I do this thing it is death unto me; and if I do it not, I cannot escape your hands.
— from Fifty Years in the Church of Rome by Charles Paschal Telesphore Chiniquy