Yes, as my swift days near their goal, 'tis all that I implore: In life and death a chainless soul, with courage to endure.

I have to remind myself to breathe -- almost to remind my heart to beat!

He had been content with daily labour and rough animal enjoyments, 'till Catherine crossed his path. Shame at her scorn, and hope of her approval, were his first prompts to higher pursuits; and, instead of guarding him from one and winning him to the other, his endeavors to raise himself had produced just the contrary result.

I ran to the children's room: their door was ajar, I saw they had never laid down, though it was past midnight; but they were calmer, and did not need me to console them. The little souls were comforting each other with better thoughts than I could have hit on: no parson in the world ever pictured heaven so beautifully as they did, in their innocent talk; and, while I sobbed, and listened. I could not help wishing we were all there safe together.

I pray every night that I may live after him; because I would rather be miserable than that he should be — that proves I love him better than myself.

Nay, you'll be ashamed of me everyday of your life," he answered; "and the more ashamed, the more you know me; and I cannot bide it.

Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate the most virtuous