| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Professor by Charlotte Bronte: "Confess, William, do not the mere good looks of Zoraide Reuter
appear dowdyish and commonplace compared with the splendid charms
of some of her pupils?"
The question discomposed me, but I now felt plainly that my
principal was endeavouring (for reasons best known to himself--at
that time I could not fathom them) to excite ideas and wishes in
my mind alien to what was right and honourable. The iniquity of
the instigation proved its antidote, and when he further added:--
"Each of those three beautiful girls will have a handsome
fortune; and with a little address, a gentlemanlike, intelligent
young fellow like you might make himself master of the hand,
The Professor |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: back to the inn, his anger cooled. Gradually, as he cooled, he
perceived her point of view, and in the end forgave her. It was not
her fault that she thought as she thought. Her rearing had been such
as to make her look upon every actress as a trull, just as it had
qualified her calmly to consider the monstrous marriage of convenience
into which she was invited.
He got back to the inn to find the company at table. Silence fell
when he entered, so suddenly that of necessity it must be supposed he
was himself the subject of the conversation. Harlequin and Columbine
had spread the tale of this prince in disguise caught up into the
chariot of a princess and carried off by her; and it was a tale that
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