Her graceful figure and her beautiful face expressed a self-possessed indifference to the wild heat of the other, that was almost cruel. #CharlesDickens #GreatExpectations

And I take my stand by Toby Veck, although he did stand all day long (and weary work it was) just outside the church-door.  In fact he was a ticket-porter, Toby Veck, and waited there for jobs. #CharlesDickens #TheChimes

The Spirit was immovable as ever. Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, EBENEZER SCROOGE.  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade, through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die."  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

"Come in!" exclaimed the Ghost. "Come in, and know me better, man."  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

and dimly connecting that with its influence over him, he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

How often and how keenly I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release you." #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs Fezziwig. Top couple too; with a good stiff piece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pair of partners; people who were not to be trifled with; people who would dance, and had no notion of walking. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

At one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire; and Scrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

His colour changed though, when, without a pause, it came on through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes.  Upon its coming in, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, "I know him; Marley's Ghost!" and fell again. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend and sole mourner. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea … 25 Days of #AChristmasCarol Begins on Dec 1 #CharlesDickens

the other, Hugh, who, sleeping too, lay stretched upon the bench on the opposite side, in the full glare of the blazing fire. #CharlesDickens #BarnabyRudge

‘Demnition!’ cried Mr. Mantalini, suddenly skipping out of his chair, and as suddenly skipping into it again, to the great discomposure of his lady’s nerves. ‘But no. It is a demd horrid dream. It is not reality. No!’ #CharlesDickens #NicholasNickleby

gentlemen, I shall be very much obliged to you, and so will they too, when they come to know me. Your healths, gentlemen.’ #CharlesDickens #PickwickPapers #WilkinsFlasher

Next up is one of Mr Dickens’ greatest creations, #MrJaggers of #GreatExpectations. Here he is in two scenes: Jaggers first appearance in the novel; the second is the wonderful way Dickens tells us about Jaggers by describing, not him, but his room.

He also had some majestic, shadowy ideas, which had never been quite fathomed by his intimate friends, concerning the power of his eye. #CharlesDickens #BarnabyRudge #SimTappertit

and here on summer evenings the more favoured customers smoked and drank—ay, and sang many a good song too, sometimes—reposing on two grim-looking high-backed settles, which, like the twin dragons of some fairy tale, guarded the entrance to the mansion. #CharlesDickens #BarnabyRudge

In the year 1775, there stood upon the borders of Epping Forest, at a distance of about twelve miles from London—measuring from the Standard in Cornhill, or rather from the spot on or near to which the Standard used to be in days of yore—a house of public entertainment called the Maypole;

and with eyes almost starting from their sockets, cold dew standing on his forehead, and in a fit of trembling which quite convulsed his frame, was calling to him for help. #CharlesDickens #NicholasNickleby

May that be truly said of us, and all of us!  And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

"I'll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob. Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!"  #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever. #AChristmasCarol  #CharlesDickens

‘There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.’ 25 Days of #AChristmasCarol - It starts TOMORROW! #CharlesDickens