| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Chouans by Honore de Balzac: ejaculation of surprise and looked with bewilderment at Marie, who
completed the effect of her words by leaning against the chimney in
the artless and innocent attitude of a child.
"Mademoiselle," cried the count, "I entreat your forgiveness, unworthy
as I am of it."
"I have nothing to forgive," she replied. "You have no more ground for
repentance than you had for the insolent supposition you proclaimed at
La Vivetiere. But this is a matter beyond your comprehension. Only,
remember this, monsieur le comte, the daughter of the Duc de Verneuil
has too generous a spirit not to take a lively interest in your fate."
"Even after I have insulted you?" said the count, with a sort of
The Chouans |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Christ in Flanders by Honore de Balzac: "Will God leave us to perish along with those wretched creatures?"
asked the haughty damsel of the handsome cavalier.
"No, no, noble maiden. . . . Listen!" and he caught her by the waist
and said in her ear, "I can swim, say nothing about it! I will hold
you by your fair hair and bring you safely to the shore; but I can
only save you."
The girl looked at her aged mother. The lady was on her knees
entreating absolution of the Bishop, who did not heed her. In the
beautiful eyes the knight read a vague feeling of filial piety, and
spoke in a smothered voice.
"Submit yourself to the will of God. If it is His pleasure to take
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Confessio Amantis by John Gower: For fame, that can nothing hide,
Alday wol bringe unto myn Ere
Of that men speken hier and there,
How that my ladi berth the pris,
How sche is fair, how sche is wis,
How sche is wommanlich of chiere;
Of al this thing whanne I mai hiere,
What wonder is thogh I be fain?
And ek whanne I may hiere sain 2760
Tidinges of my ladi hele,
Althogh I may noght with hir dele,
Confessio Amantis |
