| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: on the earth with a pistol-shot."
"Ah! he is a Frenchman, is he?" said D'Artagnan, rubbing his
hands. "Good!"
"How good?" replied the fisherman.
"No, I don't mean that. -- What then -- my tongue slipped."
"What then, sir -- why, the other men became as enraged as
so many lions: they fired more than a hundred shots at the
house; but the Frenchman was sheltered by the wall, and
every time they tried to enter by the door they met with a
shot from his lackey, whose aim is deadly, d'ye see? Every
time they threatened the window, they met with a pistol-shot
Ten Years Later |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: possible? Do you know him personally?"
"Here are several letters from him. You may read them; the mere
autograph of such a man is interesting."
Sir Charles took the letters and read them earnestly, Erskine
reading over his shoulder.
"I most cordially agree with everything he says here," said Sir
Charles. "It is quite true, quite true."
"Of course you agree with us. Donovan Brown's eminence as an
artist has gained me one recruit, and yours as a baronet will
gain me some more."
"But--"
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: The instant the door broke, Robin and Marian loosed their arrows.
Robin's arrow struck one of the assailants in the juncture of the shoulder,
and disabled his right arm: Marian's struck a second in the juncture
of the knee, and rendered him unserviceable; for the night.
The baron's long spear struck on the mailed breastplate of a third,
and being stretched to its full extent by the long-armed hero,
drove him to the edge of the torrent, and plunged him into its eddies,
along which he was whirled down the darkness of the descending stream,
calling vainly on his comrades for aid, till his voice was lost
in the mingled roar of the waters and the wind. A fourth springing
through the door was laid prostrate by the cottager's cudgel:
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: the darkness very closely into her face; no doubt too her hand gave a
responsive appeal to his last suggestion, for presently he continued:--
"What I want you to do to ensure Armand's safety is a very simple thing,
dear lady."
"What is it?" Marguerite's hand seemed to convey to his, in response.
"To remain--on this spot, without uttering a sound, until I
give you leave to speak. Ah! but I think you will obey," he added,
with that funny dry chuckle of his as Marguerite's whole figure seemed
to stiffen, in defiance of this order, "for let me tell you that if
you scream, nay! if you utter one sound, or attempt to move from
here, my men--there are thirty of them about--will seize St. Just, de
The Scarlet Pimpernel |
