| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Works of Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson: control, and that his inflation of spirits would burst
out into some mischievous absurdity. I therefore
watched him with great attention; but one evening,
having attended his mother at a visit, he withdrew
himself, unsuspected, while the company was engaged
at cards. His vivacity and officiousness were
soon missed, and his return impatiently expected;
supper was delayed, and conversation suspended;
every coach that rattled through the street was
expected to bring him, and every servant that entered
the room was examined concerning his departure.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Albert Savarus by Honore de Balzac: in her fancy, in her brain, the least phrases used by the Abbe de
Grancey, for all his words had told.
"A fine forehead!" said she to herself, looking at the head of every
man seated at the table; "I do not see one fine one.--Monsieur de
Soulas' is too prominent; Monsieur de Grancey's is fine, but he is
seventy, and has no hair, it is impossible to see where his forehead
ends."
"What is the matter, Rosalie; you are eating nothing?"
"I am not hungry, mamma," said she. "A prelate's hands----" she went
on to herself. "I cannot remember our handsome Archbishop's hands,
though he confirmed me."
Albert Savarus |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: to become the husband to my daughter, and also thereby the heir
of all my substance.' So the young man acquired the inheritance,
and surpassed all the famous and wealthy men of the land."
XVII.
Said Ioasaph unto Barlaam, "This story also fitly setteth forth
mine own estate. Whence also me thinketh that thou hadst me in
mind when thou spakest it. But what is the proof whereby thou
seekest to know the steadfastness of my purpose?"
Said the elder, "I have already proved thee, and know how wise
and steadfast is thy purpose, and how truly upright is thine
heart. But the end of thy fortune shall confirm it. For this
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