| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Alkahest by Honore de Balzac: what has been, and you seldom fail to show him what will be. It is
rare indeed that the picture of a locality where lives are lived does
not recall to some their dawning hopes, to others their wasted faith.
The comparison between a present which disappoints man's secret wishes
and a future which may realize them, is an inexhaustible source of
sadness or of placid content.
Thus, it is almost impossible not to feel a certain tender sensibility
over a picture of Flemish life, if the accessories are clearly given.
Why so? Perhaps, among other forms of existence, it offers the best
conclusion to man's uncertainties. It has its social festivities, its
family ties, and the easy affluence which proves the stability of its
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The American by Henry James: to M. de Cintre. The marquis got worse and the doctors gave him up.
My lady, she gave him up too, and if the truth must be told,
she gave up gladly. When once he was out of the way she could
do what she pleased with her daughter, and it was all arranged
that my poor innocent child should be handed over to M. de Cintre.
You don't know what Mademoiselle was in those days, sir; she was
the sweetest young creature in France, and knew as little of
what was going on around her as the lamb does of the butcher.
I used to nurse the marquis, and I was always in his room.
It was here at Fleurieres, in the autumn. We had a doctor
from Paris, who came and stayed two or three weeks in the house.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Country Doctor by Honore de Balzac: all, I think."
"But you yourself," asked Benassis; "what is your wish?"
"Ah, sir, I wish for a child of my own."
"There! She is a mother already, you see," said the doctor to the
officer, as he laid his hand on the bridle of his horse.
"Good-bye, M. Benassis; my husband will be sadly disappointed to learn
that you have been here when he was not at home to see you."
"He has not forgotten to send the thousand tiles to the Grange-aux-
Belles for me?"
"You know quite well, sir, that he would keep all the orders in the
canton waiting to serve you. Why, taking your money is the thing that
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