| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: of the tall, muscular, fair-bearded, clear-eyed Englishman.
Just now Beaumont's clear eyes, which were small and of a pale
gray color, had a rather troubled light, and, after glancing at
Bessie Alden while she spoke, he rested them upon his kinsman.
Mrs. Westgate meanwhile, with her superfluously pretty gaze,
looked at everyone alike.
"You had better wait till the time comes," she said to her sister.
"Perhaps next May you won't care so much about London.
Mr. Beaumont and I," she went on, smiling at her companion,
"have had a tremendous discussion. We don't agree about anything.
It's perfectly delightful."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The White Moll by Frank L. Packard: wife, who had died that night, bad, even in eleventh-hour penitence,
refused to implicate her criminal associates. There was a crime
projected which, unless she, Rhoda Gray, would agree to forestall
it in person and would give her oath not to warn the police about
it and so put the actual criminals in jeopardy, would go on to its
fulfillment!
She remembered that night in the hospital. The scene came vividly
before her now. The woman's pleading, the woman's grim loyalty
even in death to her pals. She, Rhoda Gray, had given her oath.
It became necessary only to substantiate those facts. Danglar
could be made to do it. She had now in her possession the evidence
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Lemorne Versus Huell by Elizabeth Drew Stoddard: I passed you on the way to the Glen. I never got away from the
remembrance of seeing your hand on the mane of my horse."
He waited for me to speak, but I could not; the balance of my
mind was gone. Why should this have happened to me--a slave? As it
had happened, why did I not feel exultant in the sense of power
which the chance for freedom with him should give?
"What is it, Margaret? your face is as sad as death."
"How do you call me 'Margaret?'"
"As I would call my wife--Margaret."
He rose and stood before me to screen my face from observation.
I supposed so, and endeavored to stifle my agitation.
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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 American by Henry James: "She was my husband's mistress," she said, softly. This was
the only concession to self-defense that she condescended to make.
"I doubt that," said Newman.
Madame de Bellegarde got up from her bench. "It was not to your
opinions I undertook to listen, and if you have nothing left but them
to tell me I think this remarkable interview may terminate."
And turning to the marquis she took his arm again. "My son,"
she said, "say something!"
M. de Bellegarde looked down at his mother, passing his hand
over his forehead, and then, tenderly, caressingly, "What shall
I say?" he asked.
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