| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: and as convenient leisure from other occasions of needful profit and
healthful pastime have permitted) that these little books which I here put
into thy hands, might stand instead of many bigger books--yet have I
carried myself towards thee in such fanciful guise of careless disport,
that right sore am I ashamed now to intreat thy lenity seriously--in
beseeching thee to believe it of me, that in the story of my father and his
christian-names--I have no thoughts of treading upon Francis the First--nor
in the affair of the nose--upon Francis the Ninth--nor in the character of
my uncle Toby--of characterizing the militiating spirits of my country--the
wound upon his groin, is a wound to every comparison of that kind--nor by
Trim--that I meant the duke of Ormond--or that my book is wrote against
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Aspern Papers by Henry James: "In the trunk?"
"That green box you pointed out to me in her room.
You said her papers had been there; you seemed to imply that she
had transferred them."
"Oh, yes; they are not in the trunk," said Miss Tita.
"May I ask if you have looked?"
"Yes, I have looked--for you."
"How for me, dear Miss Tita? Do you mean you would have given them
to me if you had found them?" I asked, almost trembling.
She delayed to reply and I waited. Suddenly she broke out,
"I don't know what I would do--what I wouldn't!"
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Lemorne Versus Huell by Elizabeth Drew Stoddard: had happened, why did I not feel exultant in the sense of power
which the chance for freedom with him should give?
"What is it, Margaret? your face is as sad as death."
"How do you call me 'Margaret?'"
"As I would call my wife--Margaret."
He rose and stood before me to screen my face from observation.
I supposed so, and endeavored to stifle my agitation.
"You are better," he said, presently. "Come go with me and get
some refreshment." And he beckoned to Mrs. Bliss, who was down the
hall with an unwieldy gentleman.
"Will you go to supper now?" she asked.
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