The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Familiar Studies of Men and Books by Robert Louis Stevenson: philanthropic personage, who had tried to graft good
principles and good behaviour on this wild slip of an adopted
son, these jesting legacies would obviously cut him to the
heart. The position of an adopted son towards his adoptive
father is one full of delicacy; where a man lends his name he
looks for great consideration. And this legacy of Villon's
portion of renown may be taken as the mere fling of an
unregenerate scapegrace who has wit enough to recognise in
his own shame the readiest weapon of offence against a prosy
benefactor's feelings. The gratitude of Master Francis
figures, on this reading, as a frightful MINUS quantity. If,
|
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 Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: mayor, with a respectful bow to Madame Phellion.
And each party took its way.
CHAPTER II
THE PROVENCAL'S PRESENT POSITION
The information acquired by the mayor of the 11th arrondissement was
by no means incorrect. In the Thuillier salon, since the emigration to
the Madeleine quarter, might be seen daily, between the tart Brigitte
and the plaintive Madame Thuillier, the graceful and attractive figure
of a woman who conveyed to this salon an appearance of the most
unexpected elegance. It was quite true that through the good offices
of this lady, who had become her tenant in the new house, Brigitte had
|