| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Falk by Joseph Conrad: of iron. But I heard a tumultuous scuffling of
boot-soles within. The unspeakable idiots inside
were crowding to the windows, climbing over each
other's backs behind the blinds, billiard cues and all.
Somebody broke a window pane, and with the sound
of falling glass, so suggestive of riot and devasta-
tion, Schomberg reeled out after us in a state of
funk which had prevented his parting with his
brandy and soda. He must have trembled like an
aspen leaf. The piece of ice in the long tumbler
he held in his hand tinkled with an effect of chat-
Falk |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: herself, beside the present Sabinus, another Eponina.
As for Brigitte, who presently appeared, bearing a foot-bath, she had
no mercy or restraint towards Theodose; her sharp and bitter
reproaches, which were out of all proportion to the fault, even
supposing him to have committed one would have driven a man of the
most placid temperament beside himself. La Peyrade felt that all was
lost to him in the Thuillier household, where they now seemed to seize
with joy the occasion to break their word to him and to give free rein
to revolting ingratitude. On an ironical allusion by Brigitte to the
manner in which he decorated his friends, la Peyrade rose and took
leave, without any effort being made to retain him.
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