| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: the five sisters when summoned to surrender the castle, "We die
singing." Worthy descendant of these noble heroines, Laurence was fair
and lily-white as though nature had made her for a wager. The lines of
her blue veins could be seen through the delicate close texture of her
skin. Her beautiful golden hair harmonized delightfully with eyes of
the deepest blue. Everything about her belonged to the type of
delicacy. Within that fragile though active body, and in defiance as
it were of its pearly whiteness, lived a soul like that of a man of
noble nature; but no one, not even a close observer, would have
suspected it from the gentle countenance and rounded features which,
when seen in profile, bore some slight resemblance to those of a lamb.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sarrasine by Honore de Balzac: such a coquettish, voluptuous look that I cannot conceive how men
could resist them. Tightly fitting white stockings with green clocks,
short skirts, and the pointed, high-heeled slippers of Louis XV.'s
time contributed somewhat, I fancy, to the demoralization of Europe
and the clergy."
"Somewhat!" exclaimed the marchioness. "Have you read nothing, pray?"
"La Zambinella," I continued, smiling, "had boldly crossed her legs,
and as she prattled swung the upper one, a duchess' attitude very well
suited to her capricious type of beauty, overflowing with a certain
attractive suppleness. She had laid aside her stage costume, and wore
a waist which outlined a slender figure, displayed to the best
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