A man falling into dark waters seeks a momentary footing even on sliding stones.

What business has an old bachelor like that to marry?' said Sir James. 'He has one foot in the grave.' 'He means to draw it out again, I suppose.

Children demand that their heroes should be freckle less, and easily believe them so: perhaps a first discovery to the contrary is less revolutionary shock to a passionate child than the threatened downfall of habitual beliefs which makes the world seem to totter for us in maturer life.

We have all got to exert ourselves a little to keep sane, and call things by the same names as other people call them by.

Her own misery filled her heart—there was no room in it for other people's sorrow.

Might, could, would - they are contemptible auxiliaries.

Your dunce who can't do his sums always has a taste for the infinite.