| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Village Rector by Honore de Balzac: inward surprise--received by all with respectful esteem. These changed
feelings and this welcome were due to the two vicars-general and to
old Grossetete. Informed by them of her noble hidden life, and the
good deeds so constantly done in their midst, the bishop and a few
influential persons spoke of Madame Graslin as a flower of true piety,
a violet fragrant with virtues; in consequence of which, one of those
strong reactions set in, unknown to Veronique, which are none the less
solid and durable because they are long in coming. This change in
public opinion gave additional influence to Veronique's salon, which
was now visited by all the chief persons in the society of the town,
in consequence of certain circumstances we shall now relate.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson: frank, often leading the way with stories of my own, and being
always a grave and sometimes an excited hearer. But the deceit is
scarce mortal, since I am as pleased to hear as he to tell, as
pleased with the story as he with the belief; and, besides, it is
entirely needful. For it is scarce possible to exaggerate the
extent and empire of his superstitions; they mould his life, they
colour his thinking; and when he does not speak to me of ghosts,
and gods, and devils, he is playing the dissembler and talking only
with his lips. With thoughts so different, one must indulge the
other; and I would rather that I should indulge his superstition
than he my incredulity. Of one thing, besides, I may be sure: Let
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: mysterious articles which were laid upon it.
The master then placed himself between the two ladies, and,
pointing to the mirror, took each by the hand, but without
speaking a syllable. They gazed intently on the polished and
sable space to which he had directed their attention. Suddenly
the surface assumed a new and singular appearance. It no longer
simply reflected the objects placed before it, but, as if it had
self-contained scenery of its own, objects began to appear within
it, at first in a disorderly, indistinct, and miscellaneous
manner, like form arranging itself out of chaos; at length, in
distinct and defined shape and symmetry. It was thus that, after
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