I've occasionally read a sentence in one of the 'classics' (e.g. by Charles Dickens or Jane Austen) that makes me chortle because it has taken on a new meaning since being written, sometimes with funny results which makes the sentence seem incongrous in a work by such a highly respected author.

Unfortunately I can't remember any examples right now. Whenever I read them, I think I ought to compile a list of these strange quotations, but I've never done it. But now this thread exists, maybe I will have a place to record them and share them with others.

Can anyone think of an example of the sort of thing I mean? I can't be the only one who has read such a sentence and done a double-take.