| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy: indefinite engagement--to put off all thought of marriage
for a year or two."
"But--but--can I do nothing of a different kind?" said
Lucetta. "I am full of gratitude to you--you have saved my
life. And your care of me is like coals of fire on my head!
I am a monied person now. Surely I can do something in
return for your goodness--something practical?"
Henchard remained in thought. He had evidently not expected
this. "There is one thing you might do, Lucetta," he said.
"But not exactly of that kind."
"Then of what kind is it?" she asked with renewed misgiving.
The Mayor of Casterbridge |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne: on an innocent little expression of simplicity; but it looked like a
diabolical grin.
[1] _Recherche_ was sent out in 1835 by Admiral Duperré to learn the
fate of the lost expedition of M. de Blosseville in the _Lilloise_
which has never been heard of.
"Yes," said he, "your words decide me. We will try to scale that
Snĉfell; perhaps even we may pursue our studies in its crater!"
"I am very sorry," said M. Fridrikssen, "that my engagements will not
allow me to absent myself, or I would have accompanied you myself
with both pleasure and profit."
"Oh, no, no!" replied my uncle with great animation, "we would not
Journey to the Center of the Earth |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Under the Red Robe by Stanley Weyman: house is at your service as long as you please to use it. And if
we can aid you in any other way we will do so.'
'Madame!' I exclaimed; and there I stopped. I could say no
more. The rose garden, with its air of neglect, the shadow of the
quiet house that fell across it, the great yew hedge which backed
it, and was the pattern of one under which I had played in
childhood--all had points that pricked me. But the women's
kindness, their unquestioning confidence, the noble air of
hospitality which moved them! Against these and their placid
beauty in its peaceful frame I had no shield, no defence. I
turned away, and feigned to be overcome by gratitude.
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