“Yea, v-verily, she answered, understanding his thought though not his idiom and speaking without - she hoped - noticeable hesitation. "Methought I saw a serpent moving in the grass yonder, but now I see 'twas but the stirring of the breeze." She slid her hands under the paper bag in her lap to hide their trembling.Ana Vasilifata”

“The intensity of her pleasure at this compliment surprised her, and she dropped her eyes. "I but wear the only dress I own, and I misdoubt whether mine hair be well-combed even now.”

“I think your hair could blow every which ways in a high wind and still look pretty," he answered, then dropped his gaze and cleared his throat. "Uh, well, are you ready to go?" he added in a brisker tone."Joshua”

“Foul, misbegotten mound of walking donkey dung!”

“Ciaran broke the silence and spoke quietly. "She means naught to me."A tear fell down her cheek and she wiped it away. "It doesnae matter--truly," she whispered.He reached out and gently brushed her arms. When she closed her eyes to avoid his probing gaze, he raised her chin with his finger. "It matters to me," he said solemnly. He wiped her tears with his thumb. "I told her we were done when I returned to Glenorchy. She wasnae pleased. I didnae know she was there, Rosalia. She saw ye and Aisling and threw her body upon me."She could not help but smirk. "Her verra bare body, my laird."He paused for a moment, a spark of some identifiable emotion in his eyes. "I didnae notice, Rosalia. All I saw was ye.”

“Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil.”

“Alex gazed at her. Her mouth was slightly open; she ran her fingernail against her lower teeth as she thought. She'd knotted her hair at the nape of her neck again, and a strand had slipped loose onto her shoulder, gleaming in the lantern light. Suddenly all of his objections seemed meaningless. Don't, he thought. You'll regret it.He didn't care anymore.Slowly, unable to stop himself, he reached out and cupped his hand around her foot.”