Those who are happy and successful themselves are too apt to make light of the misfortunes of others.
Elizabeth GaskellOh! that look of love!" continued he, between his teeth, as he bolted himself into his own private room. "And that cursed lie; which showed some terrible shame in the background, to be kept from the light in which I thought she lived perpetually! Oh, Margaret, Margaret! Mother, how you have tortured me! Oh! Margaret, could you not have loved me? I am but uncouth and hard, but I would never have led you into any falsehood for me.
Elizabeth GaskellShe had a bracelet on one taper arm, which would fall down over her round wrist. Mr. Thornton watched the replacing of this troublesome ornament with far more attention than he listened to her father. It seemed as if it fascinated him to see her push it up impatiently, until it tightened her soft flesh; and then to mark the looseningโthe fall. He could almost have exclaimedโ'There it goes, again!
Elizabeth GaskellMargaret found that the indifferent, careless conversations of one who, however kind, was not too warm and anxious a sympathizer, did her good.
Elizabeth GaskellBlot your misdeeds out (if you are particularly conscientious), by a good deed, as soon as you can; just as we did a correct sum at school on the slate, where an incorrect one was only half rubbed out. It was better than wetting our sponge with our tears; both less loss of time where tears had to be waited for, and a better effect at last.
Elizabeth Gaskell