Chapter 19
The Ring's Revelation
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL At what particular moment the strange doubt first crept into Marguerite’s mind, she could not herself afterwards have said. With the ring tightly clutched in her hand, she had run out of the room, down the stairs, and out into the garden, where, in complete seclusion, alone with the flowers, and the river and the birds, she could look again at the ring, and study that device more closely. Stupidly, senselessly, now, sitting beneath the shade of an overhanging sycamore, she was looking at the plain gold shield, with the star-shaped little flower engraved upon it. Bah!…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
The Assumption Audit
Choose someone important in your life - a family member, coworker, or friend. Write down three assumptions you've made about this person based on their behavior or your first impressions. Then, for each assumption, write down one piece of evidence that might contradict it or one question you could ask to learn more about who they really are beneath the surface.
Consider:
- •Consider how your own needs or fears might influence what you see in others
- •Think about whether this person might be playing a 'role' just like Percy did
- •Remember that people often hide their deepest struggles or greatest strengths
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone surprised you by revealing a side of themselves you never expected. What did you learn about the danger of assumptions, and how might this experience change how you approach relationships going forward?
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