The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: than I can tell you. I was told, 'Guard the prison,' and I
guard it. You, gentlemen, who are almost military men
yourselves, you are aware that an order must never be
gainsaid."
"But this order has been given to you that the traitors may
be enabled to leave the town."
"Very possibly, as the traitors are condemned to exile,"
replied Tilly.
"But who has given this order?"
"The States, to be sure!"
"The States are traitors."
 The Black Tulip |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: brother, One Eye Kanty, and Peter the Hermit knelt
before their young lord and kissed his hand. From the
Great Court beyond a little, grim, gray, old man had
watched this scene, a slight smile upon his old, mali-
cious face.
"'Tis to transcend even my dearest dreams," he
muttered. "'S death, but he be more a king than Henry
himself. God speed the day of his coronation, when,
before the very eyes of the Plantagenet hound, a black
cap shall be placed upon his head for a crown; beneath
his feet the platform of a wooden gibbet for a throne."
 The Outlaw of Torn |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: observing in course of time that his guest was as cool and
unruffled, both in his dress and temper, as he had been all day,
old John at last heaved a deep sigh, and began to think no duel had
been fought that night.
'And now, Willet,' said Mr Chester, 'if the room's well aired, I'll
try the merits of that famous bed.'
'The room, sir,' returned John, taking up a candle, and nudging
Barnaby and Hugh to accompany them, in case the gentleman should
unexpectedly drop down faint or dead from some internal wound, 'the
room's as warm as any toast in a tankard. Barnaby, take you that
other candle, and go on before. Hugh! Follow up, sir, with the
 Barnaby Rudge |