| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: the door through which one stepped into the gallery, stood a huge
stone monster, like those of Atrides; and as Herodias appeared between
them, she looked like Cybele supported by her lions. In her hands she
carried a patera, a shallow vessel of silver used by the Romans in
pouring libations; and, advancing to the front of the balcony and
pausing just above the tetrarch's chair, she cried:
"Long live Caesar!"
This homage was repeated by Vitellius, Antipas, and the priests.
But now, beginning at the farthest end of the banqueting-hall, a
murmur of surprise and admiration swept through the multitude. A
beautiful young girl had just entered the apartment, and stood
Herodias |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: expedient to excuse her of ill-nature and sometimes to lament her want of
sense. Reginald is only repeating after her ladyship.
I remain, &c., &c.,
CATHERINE VERNON.
XVIII
FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME
Churchhill.
My dear Mother,--I am very glad to find that my description of Frederica
Vernon has interested you, for I do believe her truly deserving of your
regard; and when I have communicated a notion which has recently struck me,
your kind impressions in her favour will, I am sure, be heightened. I
Lady Susan |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: home. "I could scarcely see my way," he said, "and the loose stones
slipped from under me as I climbed the bank." As for the plaster which
Gothard was bringing him, he replied as he had done in all previous
examinations, that he wanted it to secure one of the stone posts of
the covered way.
The public prosecutor and the president asked him to explain how he
could have been at the top of the covered way engaged in mending a
stone post and at the same time in the breach of the moat leading to
the chateau; more especially as the justice of peace, the gendarmes
and the forester all declared they had heard him approach them from
the lower road. To this Michu replied that Monsieur d'Hauteserre had
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