| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: "Never mind the gingerbread," said I; "let us continue our interesting walk."
At every turn of the path we were following, the lake appeared
in all its length and breadth. The lantern lit up the whole
of its peaceable surface, which knew neither ripple nor wave.
The Nautilus remained perfectly immovable. On the platform,
and on the mountain, the ship's crew were working like black
shadows clearly carved against the luminous atmosphere.
We were now going round the highest crest of the first layers of rock
which upheld the roof. I then saw that bees were not the only
representatives of the animal kingdom in the interior of this volcano.
Birds of prey hovered here and there in the shadows, or fled from
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Lady Baltimore by Owen Wister: English.'"
"But I suppose you will tell me that your Northern beauties can easily
outmatch such wit."
I hastened to disclaim any such pretension; and having expressed my
appreciation of the anecdote, I moved to the door as the stately lady
resumed her embroidery.
My hostess had a last word for me. "Do not let the cake worry you."
Outside the handsome old iron gate I looked at my watch and found that
for this day I could spend no more time upon visiting.
IV: THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER--I
I fear--no; to say one "fears" that one has stepped aside from the narrow
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: I put a well-marked stiffness into my manner which completed the
meaning of the words. I could not see that it baffled him.
"I hope," he replied, "that my question is not of that kind. I only
desire to ask if you have a sister."
"No, monsieur," I replied, "I have no sister--none, at least, that I
know of," I added, jestingly.
"I thought it not unlikely, however," continued Monsieur Dorlange, in
the most natural manner possible; "for the family in which I have met
a lady bearing the strongest resemblance to you is surrounded by a
certain mysterious atmosphere which renders all suppositions
possible."
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