| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Poor and Proud by Oliver Optic: Mrs. Redburn suffered the most severe and racking pains through
the night, and at about twelve o'clock, Katy went to Mr. Sneed's
house, and calling up Simon, begged him to go for a doctor. But
the physician's art seemed powerless to soothe her. All night
long the devoted daughter, like an angel of mercy, hovered around
the bed, and did all he could in vain attempts to ease the
sufferer's pain.
Poor Katy! The sun of prosperity had set, and the night of
adversity was coming on.
CHAPTER XVIII.
KATY STRUGGLES BRAVELY THROUGH A SERIES OF TRIALS.
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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 Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: them turned the charger about curiously, to look at the head from all
sides. Then Mannaeus, having entirely regained his courage, placed the
charger before Aulus, who had just awakened from a short doze; and
finally he brought it again to Antipas and set it down upon the table
beside him. Tears were running down the cheeks of the tetrarch.
The lights began to flicker and die out. The guests departed, and at
last no one remained in the great hall save Antipas, who sat leaning
his head upon his hands, gazing at the head of Iaokanann; and Phanuel,
who stood in the centre of the largest nave and prayed aloud, with
uplifted arms.
At sunrise the two men who had been sent on a mission by Iaokanann
 Herodias |