| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton: appearances ... and that I never was what he said I was that
day--if in all these months it hasn't come over him, what's the
use of trying to make him see it now?" she mused. And then, her
thoughts hurrying on: "Perhaps he's suffering too--I believe he
is suffering-at any rate, he's suffering for me, if not for
himself. But if he's pledged to Coral, what can he do? What
would he think of me if I tried to make him break his word to
her?"
There he stood--the man who was "going to Fontainebleau to-
morrow"; who called it "taking the necessary steps!" Who could
smile as he made the careless statement! A world seemed to
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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 Apology by Xenophon: lessons, and apter to forget the lessons I have learnt. And if to
these be added the consciousness of failing powers, the sting of self-
reproach, what prospect have I of any further joy in living? It may
be, you know," he added, "that God out of his great kindness is
intervening in my behalf[14] to suffer me to close my life in the
ripeness of age, and by the gentlest of deaths. For if at this time
sentence of death be passed upon me, it is plain I shall be allowed to
meet an end which, in the opinion of those who have studied the
matter, is not only the easiest in itself, but one which will cause
the least trouble to one's friends,[15] while engendering the deepest
longing for the departed. For of necessity he will only be thought of
The Apology |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Commission in Lunacy by Honore de Balzac: their father, and to obey him in that matter they must love him very
dearly."
"I do not understand," said the Marquise.
"You do not know, perhaps," replied Popinot, "that in your petition
your attorney represents your children as being very unhappy with
their father?"
Madame d'Espard replied with charming innocence:
"I do not know what my attorney may have put into my mouth."
"Forgive my inferences," said Popinot, "but Justice weighs everything.
What I ask you, madame, is suggested by my wish thoroughly to
understand the matter. By your account M. d'Espard deserted you on the
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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 Youth by Joseph Conrad: gleam flashed at me, vanished, came into view again, and
remained. The fore-end of a steamer loomed up close.
I shouted down the cabin, 'Come up, quick!' and then
heard a startled voice saying afar in the dark, 'Stop her,
sir.' A bell jingled. Another voice cried warningly,
'We are going right into that bark, sir.' The answer to
this was a gruff 'All right,' and the next thing was a
heavy crash as the steamer struck a glancing blow with
the bluff of her bow about our fore-rigging. There was
a moment of confusion, yelling, and running about.
Steam roared. Then somebody was heard saying, 'All
Youth |
