| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Hated Son by Honore de Balzac: among its leaves, trembling before those mocking women thus informed
of Etienne's love. As the clouds that bear the thunder project upon
the heavens, so the old duke, reaching a degree of anger that defies
description, stood out upon the brilliant background produced by the
rich clothing of those courtly dames. Between the destruction of his
son and a mesalliance, every other father would have hesitated, but in
this uncontrollable old man ferocity was the power which had so far
solved the difficulties of life for him; he drew his sword in all
cases, as the only remedy that he knew for the gordian knots of life.
Under present circumstances, when the convulsion of his ideas had
reached its height, the nature of the man came uppermost. Twice
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost: part.' He left me, with a thousand protestations of friendship.
I employed the night in preparing for the journey, and on
repairing to the inn at early dawn, I found Manon waiting my
arrival. She was at her window, which looked upon the street,
and perceiving my approach, she came down and opened the door
herself. We took our departure silently, and without creating
the least alarm. She merely brought away a small portion of her
apparel, of which I took charge. The chaise was in readiness,
and we were soon at a distance from the town.
"You will learn in the sequel what was the conduct of Tiberge
when he discovered that I had deceived him; that his zeal to
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Oscar Wilde Miscellaneous by Oscar Wilde: MYRRHINA. Once as I was passing through the market place I heard a
sophist from Cilicia say that there is only one God. He said it
before many people.
FIRST MAN. That cannot be true. We have ourselves seen many,
though we are but common men and of no account. When I saw them I
hid myself in a bush. They did me no harm.
* * * * *
MYRRHINA. Tell me more about the beautiful young hermit. Talk to
me about the beautiful young hermit who will not look on the face of
woman. What is the story of his days? What mode of life has he?
FIRST MAN. We do not understand you.
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