As it was not permitted, at Hierapolis, in Syria, to make statues of the sun and moon, because, it was said, they are themselves sufficiently visible, the sun was represented at Emesa in the form of a great stone, which, as it appeared, had fallen from heaven.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes) by Edward Gibbon

“I knew you would scream at me; but in the first place, though I am not rich, this ten thousand roubles is perfectly free; I have absolutely no need for it.
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

When Pretty Goldilocks heard what had happened she threw herself at the King’s feet and begged him to set Charming free, but the more she cried, the more angry he was, and at last she saw that it was useless to say any more; but it made her very sad.
— from The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

I was trembling a little and super-conscious of the warmth of her leg and shoulder against mine, but I needed to go through the motions of logging into Xnet and seeing what email I'd gotten and so on.
— from Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

We rushed each other furiously time after time, 'til suddenly, feeling the sharp point of his sword at my breast in a thrust I could neither parry nor escape, I threw myself upon him with outstretched sword and with all the weight of my body, determined that I would not die alone if I could prevent it.
— from A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

O know sweet love I always write of you, And you and love are still my argument: So all my best is dressing old words new, Spending again what is already spent:
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

Dined at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my businesses in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting afternoon’s work.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

She waves her arms and she shouts at me, but I don’t understand a word of what she says.
— from Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

and the meeting was such as may be imagined, between persons so affectionate, and so long separated as they had been.
— from The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Ward Radcliffe

Quickly I fitted an arrow now that I might be ready at the next attack, and as I did so I looked down at the girl, so that I surprised her in a surreptitious glance which she was stealing at me; but immediately, she again covered her face with her hands.
— from At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs

But if, disregarding this limitation, it be attempted to provide relief for all who are needy, but not destitute—for all who are poor, and whose means of living are inferior to what it may be desirable that they should possess—if property is to be taxed, not for the relief of the destitute only, but for ensuring to every one such a portion of the comforts and conveniences of life as are assumed to be necessary—the consequence of any such attempt must be in Ireland, as it notoriously was in England, not only to diminish the value of property, but also to emasculate and demoralise the whole labouring population.
— from A history of the Irish poor law, in connexion with the condition of the people by Nicholls, George, Sir

It is not my habit to speak to children, inasmuch as I hate them, because they often follow me and fling stones after me; but I no sooner looked at that child than I was forced to speak to it.
— from Lavengro: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest by George Borrow

Surely at such a time his secret anguish must betray itself.
— from Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are by William Godwin

“I suppose you’re speaking about Miss Beresford?” “Instead of talking rot about woman’s suffrage,” said Titherington savagely, “and ragging Vittie, which is what we brought her here for, she’s going round calling everybody a liar.
— from Lalage's Lovers by George A. Birmingham

But actual guilt may be present with or without the more abnormal nervous conditions just mentioned, and, when present, may bring home to the rueful mind {68} the despair of the awakened but forsaken sinner, and may bring it in the form of the feeling of guilty solitude.
— from The Sources of Religious Insight by Josiah Royce

"I am sorry," answered Madge, "because I have taken a dreadful dislike to that Flora Harris whom we met at the ball the other night.
— from Madge Morton's Secret by Amy D. V. Chalmers

As it respects tracts for unbelievers, I seek especially to aim after the diffusion of such as contain the truths of the Gospel clearly and simply expressed; and as it respects publications for believers, I aim after the circulation of such as may be instrumental in directing their minds to those truths which in these last days are more especially needed, or which have been particularly lost sight of, and may lead believers to return to the written Word of God.
— from A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller. Part 4 by George Müller

Yes,—I left Schuyler and Miss Burt in the drawing-room, and later I saw them from my window, strolling through the rose-garden.”
— from The Clue by Carolyn Wells