| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Daisy Miller by Henry James: Giovanelli, from the first, had treated Winterbourne with
distinguished politeness. He listened with a deferential air
to his remarks; he laughed punctiliously at his pleasantries;
he seemed disposed to testify to his belief that Winterbourne
was a superior young man. He carried himself in no degree
like a jealous wooer; he had obviously a great deal of tact;
he had no objection to your expecting a little humility of him.
It even seemed to Winterbourne at times that Giovanelli would
find a certain mental relief in being able to have a private
understanding with him--to say to him, as an intelligent man,
that, bless you, HE knew how extraordinary was this
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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 Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: never have had the impudence. His name was not Bellairs?"
"I didn't 'ear the name, sir. Do you know anything against
him?" cried my guide.
"Well," said I, "he is certainly not the person Carthew would
like to have here in his absence."
"Good gracious me!" exclaimed the gardener. "He was so
pleasant spoken, too; I thought he was some form of a
schoolmaster. Perhaps, sir, you wouldn't mind going right up
to Mr. Denman? I recommended him to Mr. Denman, when he
had done the grounds. Mr. Denman is our butler, sir," he
added.
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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 Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas: These bitter-sweet pleasantries lasted ten minutes,
sometimes longer, but always finished thus:
Monsieur de Chavigny, turning toward the door, used to call
out: "Halloo! La Ramee!"
La Ramee came into the room.
"La Ramee, I recommend Monsieur le Duc to you, particularly;
treat him as a man of his rank and family ought to be
treated; that is, never leave him alone an instant."
La Ramee became, therefore, the duke's dinner guest by
compulsion -- an eternal keeper, the shadow of his person;
but La Ramee -- gay, frank, convivial, fond of play, a great
Twenty Years After |
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 Pierrette by Honore de Balzac: else to be done."
Rogron went to get the money, and gave the man forty-seven francs,
twelve sous.
"And nothing for my comrade and me?" said the conductor.
Sylvie took two francs from the depths of the old velvet bag which
held her keys.
"Thank you, no," said the man; "keep 'em yourself. We would rather
care for the little one for her own sake." He picked up his book and
departed, saying to the servant-girl: "What a pair! it seems there are
crocodiles out of Egypt!"
"Such men are always brutal," said Sylvie, who overhead the words.
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