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perception
A curated path through fragments connected by a shared motif, atmosphere, or recurring literary concern.
2026-04-01
The fresh air revived me, and with renewed determination I approached the door of their cottage. ‘Pardon this intrusion,’ said I; ‘I am a traveller in want of a little rest; you would greatly oblige me if you would allow me to remain a few minutes before the f...
2026-03-31
And, above all, what must he have thought when Captain Nemo, drawing from the pocket of his dress a bag of pearls, placed it in his hand! This munificent charity from the man of the waters to the poor Cingalese was accepted with a trembling hand. His wondering...
2026-03-18
“Nelly, do you never dream queer dreams?” she said, suddenly, after some minutes’ reflection. I’ve dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas: they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the...
2026-03-11
I overcame the horror that inspired me, and, taking a pencil, began to draw it. “Perhaps this is the same which the Alector saw,” said Conseil.
2026-03-08
Of the inhabitants of Lilliput; their learning, laws, and customs; the manner of educating their children. Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a particular treatise, yet, in the mean time, I am content to gratify the curious reader wit...
2026-03-05
“Twelve!” he exclaimed; “why, it’s only eight minutes before ten.” “Your watch is slow.” “My watch? A family watch, monsieur, which has come down from my great-grandfather! It’s a perfect chronometer, look you.” “I see how it is,” said Fix. “You have kept Lond...
2026-02-25
Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.” “Dear Lizzy!” “Oh, you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.” “I w...
2026-02-25
The old man, whom I soon perceived to be blind, employed his leisure hours on his instrument or in contemplation. Nothing could exceed the love and respect which the younger cottagers exhibited towards their venerable companion.
2026-02-10
I will answer for it, he never cared three straws about her. Who _could_ about such a nasty little freckled thing?” Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of such coarseness of _expression_ herself, the coarseness of the _sentiment_ was little ...
2026-02-03
You do not let your eyes see nor your ears hear, and that which is outside your daily life is not of account to you. Do you not think that there are things which you cannot understand, and yet which are; that some people see things that others cannot?
2026-01-31
Surely my brain had not been affected by my fall, and all that occurred during the last twenty-four hours was not the frenzied visions of madness? And yet after some reflection, a trial of my faculties, I came to the conclusion that I could not be mistaken. "I...
2026-01-31
On each side a window opened into this unexplored abyss. The obscurity of the saloon showed to advantage the brightness outside, and we looked out as if this pure crystal had been the glass of an immense aquarium. “You wished to see, friend Ned; well, you see ...
2026-01-30
I have already learned all that is in the public prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct—this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride.” Lord St.
2026-01-28
I have tried to keep an open mind; and it is not the ordinary things of life that could close it, but the strange things, the extraordinary things, the things that make one doubt if they be mad or sane.” “Thank you, thank you, a thousand times! If you will let...
2026-01-22
Darcy and his relation Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home the ----shire was to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight’s time. As that was the case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it necess...