| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Madame Firmiani by Honore de Balzac: It is very difficult to get admitted; therefore, of course, one meets
only the best society in her salons." Here the Lounger takes a pinch
of snuff; he inhales it slowly and seems to say: "I go there, but
don't expect me to present YOU."
Evidently the Lounger considers that Madame Firmiani keeps a sort of
inn, without a sign.
"Why do you want to know Madame Firmiani? Her parties are as dull as
the Court itself. What is the good of possessing a mind unless to
avoid such salons, where stupid talk and foolish little ballads are
the order of the day." You have questioned a being classed Egotist, a
species who would like to keep the universe under lock and key, and
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: the blood to surge beneath the velvet of her cheek, and
her breasts to rise and fall above her fast beating heart.
She let him take her fingers in his and raise them to
his lips, and then they stood looking into each other's
eyes in silence for a long moment.
"I do not know how to tell you what I have come
to tell," he said sadly. "I have not meant to deceive
you to your harm, but the temptation to be with you
and those whom you typify must be my excuse. I--"
He paused. It was easy to tell her that he was the Out-
law of Torn, but if she loved him, as he feared, how
The Outlaw of Torn |
