| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: Though every one of these young plants represents vast productive
power, they are made, as one may say, into cashiers. They receive
appointments; the rank and file of engineers is made up of them; they
are employed as captains of artillery; there is no (subaltern) grade
to which they may not aspire. Finally, when these men, the pick of the
youth of the nation, fattened on mathematics and stuffed with
knowledge, have attained the age of fifty years, they have their
reward, and receive as the price of their services the third-floor
lodging, the wife and family, and all the comforts that sweeten life
for mediocrity. If from among this race of dupes there should escape
some five or six men of genius who climb the highest heights, is it
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Sons of the Soil by Honore de Balzac: no spies comparable to those that serve hatred.
When the general first came to Les Aigues Rigou apparently formed some
plans about him which Montcornet's marriage with a Troisville put an
end to; he seemed to have wished to patronize the new land-owner. In
fact his intentions were so patent that Gaubertin thought best to let
him into the secrets of the coalition against Les Aigues. Before
accepting any part in the affair, Rigou determined, as he said, to put
the general between two stools.
One day, after the countess was fairly installed, a little wicker
carriage painted green entered the grand courtyard of the chateau. The
mayor, who was flanked by his mayoress, got out and came round to the
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: "It seems barbarous," said he aloud, "to break up the party.
But I must claim my promised drive with Miss Emilia."
Blanche looked up, for once amazed, having heard a different
programme arranged. Count Posen looked up also. But he thought
he must have misunderstood Emilia's acceptance of his previous
offer to drive her; and as he prided himself even more on his
English than on his gallantry, he said no more. It was no great
matter. Young Jones's dog-cart was at the door, and always
opened eagerly its arms to anybody with a title.
XII.
A NEW ENGAGEMENT.
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