| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: the young men in Arcis are put out of joint."
"Very much so," said Ernestine, whom Cecile had nudged with her elbow.
"We are distracted, Cecile and I, about the great Unknown, and we are
quarrelling for him."
"But," said Cecile, "he is no longer unknown; he is a count."
"Some adventurer!" replied Simon Giguet, with an air of contempt.
"Will you say that, Monsieur Simon," answered Cecile, feeling piqued,
"of a man to whom the Princesse de Cadignan has just sent her
servants, who dined at Gondreville to-day, and is to spend this
evening with the Marquise de Cinq-Cygne?"
This was said sharply, and in so hard a tone that Simon was
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: Will you take it? I will leave directions that it is to be sent
to you in the Rue d'Artois.--Mme. de Nucingen looked very
charming this evening. Eugene, you must love her. Perhaps we may
never see each other again, my friend; but be sure of this, that
I shall pray for you who have been kind to me.--Now, let us go
downstairs. People shall not think that I am weeping. I have all
time and eternity before me, and where I am going I shall be
alone, and no one will ask me the reason of my tears. One last
look round first."
She stood for a moment. Then she covered her eyes with her hands
for an instant, dashed away the tears, bathed her face with cold
 Father Goriot |