The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: precise moment when God sent him a good idea to communicate to her.
The cardinal asked which was the most precious thing to a lady; the
first or the last kiss? To which La Beaupertuys replied: "that it was
the last, seeing that she knew then what she was losing, while at the
first she did not know what she would gain." During these sayings, and
others which have most unfortunately been lost, came the six thousand
gold crowns, which were worth all three hundred thousand francs of
to-day, so much do we go on decreasing in value every day. The king
ordered the crowns to be arranged upon a table, and well lighted up,
so that they shone like the eyes of the company which lit up
involuntarily, and made them laugh in spite of themselves. They did
 Droll Stories, V. 1 |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: instant, then answered his own question. "Because Miss McIntyre
did not agree with Rochester that Turnbull had died from angina
pectoris - that is obvious, too. Now, what made her think that?"
"I am sure I don't know" - Kent's air of candor was unmistakable
and Ferguson showed his disappointment.
"Hasn't Miss McIntyre been to see you?"
"No," was Kent's truthful answer; Barbara was the younger twin and
her sister was therefore, "Miss McIntyre."
"You must recollect, Ferguson," he added, "that had Miss McIntyre
called to see me about poor Turnbull, I would not have discussed
the interview with any one, under any conditions."
 The Red Seal |