| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Stevenson: wise; and, when I insisted, rising higher in passion and
speaking of this foul intruder in the terms she had deserved,
they fell back from me as from one who had blasphemed. A
superstitious reverence plainly encircled the stranger; I
could read it in their changed demeanour, and in the paleness
that prevailed upon the natural colour of their faces; and
their fear perhaps reacted on myself. I looked again at
Madam Mendizabal. She stood perfectly composed, watching my
face through her glasses with a smile of scorn; and at the
sight of her assured superiority to all my threats, a cry
broke from my lips, a cry of rage, fear, and despair, and I
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: tunic, in return for his appeal - we distinguish, my good father!
betwixt those who wish only to eat the bread of their own labour -
and those who eat the bread of other people's, and have no other
plan in life, but to get through it in sloth and ignorance, FOR THE
LOVE OF GOD.
The poor Franciscan made no reply: a hectic of a moment pass'd
across his cheek, but could not tarry - Nature seemed to have done
with her resentments in him; - he showed none: - but letting his
staff fall within his arms, he pressed both his hands with
resignation upon his breast, and retired.
THE MONK. CALAIS.
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