| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Persuasion by Jane Austen: and what would very generally recommend him among all sensible people,
to be on good terms with the head of his family; the simplest process
in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring
in the heyday of youth. Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it,
and at last to mention "Elizabeth." Lady Russell listened, and looked,
and made only this cautious reply:--"Elizabeth! very well;
time will explain."
It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation,
felt she must submit to. She could determine nothing at present.
In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the habit
of such general observance as "Miss Elliot," that any particularity
Persuasion |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Massimilla Doni by Honore de Balzac: Genovese, and the no less famous Signora Tinti.
Without waiting to finish the letter, which he crumpled up and put in
his pocket, Emilio ran to communicate this great news to the Duchess,
forgetting his heraldic honors.
The Duchess knew nothing of the strange story which made la Tinti an
object of curiosity in Italy, and Emilio briefly repeated it.
This illustrious singer had been a mere inn-servant, whose wonderful
voice had captivated a great Sicilian nobleman on his travels. The
girl's beauty--she was then twelve years old--being worthy of her
voice, the gentleman had had the moderation to have brought her up, as
Louis XV. had Mademoiselle de Romans educated. He had waited patiently
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Virginian by Owen Wister: he has not got the brains necessary to be a horse thief."
"That's so. That's very true. Trampas has led him in deeper than
his stature can stand. Now back East you can be middling and get
along. But if you go to try a thing on in this Western country,
you've got to do it WELL. You've got to deal cyards WELL; you've
got to steal WELL; and if you claim to be quick with your gun,
you must be quick, for you're a public temptation, and some man
will not resist trying to prove he is the quicker. You must break
all the Commandments WELL in this Western country, and Shorty
should have stayed in Brooklyn, for he will be a novice his
livelong days. You don't know about him? He has told me his
The Virginian |
