| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Myths and Myth-Makers by John Fiske: Thuringia, at Saalfeld, a servant-girl fell asleep whilst her
companions were shelling nuts. They observed a little red
mouse creep from her mouth and run out of the window. One of
the fellows present shook the sleeper, but could not wake her,
so he moved her to another place. Presently the mouse ran back
to the former place and dashed about, seeking the girl; not
finding her, it vanished; at the same moment the girl
died."[19] This completes the explanation of the piper, and it
also furnishes the key to the horrible story of Bishop Hatto.
[19] Baring-Gould, Curious Myths, Vol. II. p. 159.
This wicked prelate lived on the bank of the Rhine, in the
 Myths and Myth-Makers |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: two or three best heads in our force so often say. And there are many
things you would never think of which money cannot buy.--You cannot
buy good luck. So good police work is not done in this style. Will you
show yourself in a carriage with me? We should be seen. Chance is just
as often for us as against us."
"Really-truly?" said the Baron.
"Why, of course, sir. A horseshoe picked up in the street led the
chief of the police to the discovery of the infernal machine. Well, if
we were to go to-night in a hackney coach to Monsieur de Saint-
Germain, he would not like to see you walk in any more than you would
like to be seen going there."
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Silas Marner by George Eliot: erring lover.
The anxiety about sister Priscilla, which had grown rather active by
the time the coral necklace was clasped, was happily ended by the
entrance of that cheerful-looking lady herself, with a face made
blowsy by cold and damp. After the first questions and greetings,
she turned to Nancy, and surveyed her from head to foot--then
wheeled her round, to ascertain that the back view was equally
faultless.
"What do you think o' _these_ gowns, aunt Osgood?" said
Priscilla, while Nancy helped her to unrobe.
"Very handsome indeed, niece," said Mrs. Osgood, with a slight
 Silas Marner |