| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Travels with a Donkey in the Cevenne by Robert Louis Stevenson: surrendered, or Roland had fallen fighting with his back against an
olive. And while I was thus working on my fancy, I heard him
hailing in broken tones, and saw him waving me to come back with
one of his two sticks. I had already got some way past him; but,
leaving Modestine once more, retraced my steps.
Alas, it was a very commonplace affair. The old gentleman had
forgot to ask the pedlar what he sold, and wished to remedy this
neglect.
I told him sternly, 'Nothing.'
'Nothing?' cried he.
I repeated 'Nothing,' and made off.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Death of the Lion by Henry James: moment I saw what had happened: the author of "The Other Way
Round" had just alighted at the portals of Prestidge, but had
suffered a scruple to restrain him from penetrating further. I
recognised his scruple when, pausing to listen at his gesture of
caution, I heard a shrill voice lifted in a sort of rhythmic
uncanny chant. The famous reading had begun, only it was the
author of "Obsessions" who now furnished the sacrifice. The new
visitor whispered to me that he judged something was going on he
oughtn't to interrupt.
"Miss Collop arrived last night," I smiled, "and the Princess has a
thirst for the inedit."
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Vicar of Tours by Honore de Balzac: peace with that devil of a vicar-general; remember that such priests
are men with whom we absolutely MUST live in harmony. Good heavens!
when we are all striving and working to re-establish religion it is
actually stupid, in a lieutenant who wants to be made a captain, to
affront the priests. If you don't make up matters with that Abbe
Troubert you needn't count on me; I shall abandon you. The minister of
ecclesiastical affairs told me just now that Troubert was certain to
be made bishop before long; if he takes a dislike to our family he
could hinder me from being included in the next batch of peers. Don't
you understand?"
These words explained to the naval officer the nature of Troubert's
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