| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Ball at Sceaux by Honore de Balzac: his indifference.
In the midst of the quadrille, close in front of them, a pale girl was
dancing; her face was like one of the divinities which Girodet has
introduced into his immense composition of French Warriors received by
Ossian. Emilie fancied that she recognized her as a distinguished
milady who for some months had been living on a neighboring estate.
Her partner was a lad of about fifteen, with red hands, and dressed in
nankeen trousers, a blue coat, and white shoes, which showed that the
damsel's love of dancing made her easy to please in the matter of
partners. Her movements did not betray her apparent delicacy, but a
faint flush already tinged her white cheeks, and her complexion was
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Pocket Diary Found in the Snow by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: The young commissioner had had most careful advice from headquarters
as to Muller, and he treated the secret service detective, who was
one of the most expert and best known men in the profession, with
the greatest deference, for he knew that anything Muller might say
could be only of value to him with his very slight knowledge of his
business. He took the knife, therefore, and carefully cut open the
paper, taking out a tiny little notebook, on the outer side of which
a handsome monogram gleamed up at him in golden letters.
"A woman made this package," said Muller, who had been looking at
the covering very carefully; "a blond woman."
The other two looked at him in astonishment. He showed them a
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Massimilla Doni by Honore de Balzac: the delicate tissue of her skin has stamped flowers on mine as her
hand lies on my hand. Her words play on those inner keys in me, of
which you spoke. Desire excites my brain, stirring that invisible
world, instead of exciting my passive flesh; the air seems red and
sparkling, unknown perfumes of indescribable strength relax my sinews,
roses wreathe my temples, and I feel as though my blood were escaping
through opened arteries, so complete is my inanition."
"That is the effect on me of smoking opium," replied Vendramin.
"Then do you wish to die?" cried Emilio, in alarm.
"With Venice!" said Vendramin, waving his hand in the direction of San
Marco. "Can you see a single pinnacle or spire that stands straight?
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