| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from To-morrow by Joseph Conrad: "No; my father. I am not married."
"You seem a fine girl, Miss Bessie, dear," he said
at once.
She turned her face away.
"Oh, I say,--what's up? Who's murdering
him?"
"He wants his tea." She faced him, still and
tall, with averted head, with her hands hanging
clasped before her.
"Hadn't you better go in?" he suggested, after
watching for a while the nape of her neck, a patch
 To-morrow |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Albert Savarus by Honore de Balzac: "But, mademoiselle," said Mariette, "it is perfectly respectable;
Jerome honestly means to marry me--"
"But then," said Rosalie, "why meet at night?"
Mariette was dumfounded, and could make no reply.
"Listen, Mariette; I am in love too! In secret and without any return.
I am, after all, my father's and mother's only child. You have more to
hope for from me than from any one else in the world--"
"Certainly, mademoiselle, and you may count on us for life or death,"
exclaimed Mariette, rejoiced at the unexpected turn of affairs.
"In the first place, silence for silence," said Rosalie. "I will not
marry Monsieur de Soulas; but one thing I will have, and must have; my
 Albert Savarus |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Modeste Mignon by Honore de Balzac: gaiety is tender, when aspiration is a need; it is one of my
favorites. Do you want me to put all my flatteries into one?--well
then, I think you worthy to be ME!
Your letter, though short, enables me to read within you. Yes, I
have guessed your tumultuous struggles, your piqued curiosity,
your projects; but I do not yet know you well enough to satisfy
your wishes. Hear me, dear; the mystery in which I am shrouded
allows me to use that word, which lets you see to the bottom of my
heart. Hear me: if we once meet, adieu to our mutual
comprehension! Will you make a compact with me? Was the first
disadvantageous to you? But remember it won you my esteem, and it
 Modeste Mignon |