| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Collection of Antiquities by Honore de Balzac: as the Princes do not come to us, we must go to the Princes."
"I am enchanted to learn that you think of introducing our dear
Victurnien into society," the Chevalier put in adroitly. "He ought not
to bury his talents in a hole like this town. The best fortune that he
can look for here is to come across some Norman girl" (mimicking the
accent), "country-bred, stupid, and rich. What could he make of
her?--his wife? Oh! good Lord!"
"I sincerely hope that he will defer his marriage until he has
obtained some great office or appointment under the Crown," returned
the gray-haired Marquis. "Still, there are serious difficulties in the
way."
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Recruit by Honore de Balzac: nature of my report will protect you in future from all suspicions. I
will speak of your patriotic gifts, your civic virtues, and that will
save you."
Madame de Dey feared a trap, and she stood motionless; but her face
was on fire, and her tongue stiff in her mouth. A rap sounded on the
door.
"Oh!" cried the mother, falling on her knees, "save him! save him!"
"Yes, we will save him," said the official, giving her a look of
passion; "if it costs us our life, we will save him."
"I am lost!" she murmured, as the prosecutor raised her courteously.
"Madame," he said, with an oratorical movement, "I will owe you only--
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from 'Twixt Land & Sea by Joseph Conrad: last separation.
"Do get aboard as soon as you can, Miss Freya," I entreated.
She looked me straight in the face, her colour a little heightened
and with a sort of solemn ardour - if there was a little catch in
her voice.
"The very next day."
Ah, yes! The very next day after her twenty-first birthday. I was
pleased at this hint of deep feeling. It was as if she had grown
impatient at last of the self-imposed delay. I supposed that
Jasper's recent visit had told heavily.
"That's right," I said approvingly. "I shall be much easier in my
'Twixt Land & Sea |
