chanced

J.R.R. Tolkien, on the other hand, was so very much a man of letters that he did not even attempt to publish any of his fiction until a reader at Allen and Unwin chanced to hear of The Hobbit and pried the typescript out of his hands.

Moorcock, Saruman and the Dragon’s Tail superversive 2006

At home during the winter holidays, his name chanced to cross her lips.

The Getting of Wisdom 2003

These were Paul Morrison, the leader, the other Carberry twin, William by name, and a boy whom they called "Nuthin," possibly because his name chanced to be Albert Cypher.

The Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound A Tour on Skates and Iceboats George A. Warren

'Clara,' or 'Kate,' as the name chanced to be, 'this is the gentleman who saved me from the dog.'

Leslie Ross: or, Fond of a Lark Charles Bruce

"And this other fellow," says he, when I had done, "this fellow that sang -- d'ye know if his name chanced to be Mings -- Abnegation Mings, comrade?"

Black Bartlemy's Treasure Jeffery Farnol 1915

Episcopal Church, because his name chanced to have a foreign flavor, was written to and offered one year's indulgences for twenty-five dollars!

A Hero and Some Other Folks 1892

I would prove myself a man entitled to her respect, a soldier worthy my service and corps; if ever again my name chanced to find mention in her presence it should be spoken with honor.

My Lady of the North Randall Parrish 1890

It would be merely a flourish of trumpets to say that I was his descendant, and nobody would know that, either, if my name chanced to be Boggs.

The Potiphar Papers George William Curtis 1858

But, as he turned away his sword chanced to touch the tree, and immediately two apples fell down.

The Olive Fairy Book 2003

He would recall his longing as something that had once occupied an augur whose name chanced to be his, Silk, a name not common but by no means outlandish.

Calde of the Long Sun Wolfe, Gene 1994