| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: Serizy's happiness is also at stake."
"Pray, madame, do not suppose that I have forgotten the respect due
you," said Camusot. "If Monsieur Popinot, for instance, had undertaken
this case, you would have had worse luck than you have found with me;
for he would not have come to consult Monsieur de Granville; no one
would have heard anything about it. I tell you, madame, everything has
been seized in Monsieur Lucien's lodging, even your letters----"
"What! my letters!"
"Here they are, madame, in a sealed packet."
The Countess in her agitation rang as if she had been at home, and the
office-boy came in.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Letters of Two Brides by Honore de Balzac: foundations of his creed. His fresh and original way of looking at
things must be entirely free from affectation or desire to show off.
His words will be few and fit, and his mind so richly stored, that he
cannot possibly become a bore to himself any more than to others.
"All his thoughts must have a high and chivalrous character, without
alloy of self-seeking; while his actions should be marked by a total
absence of interested or sordid motives. Any weak points he may have
will arise from the very elevation of his views above those of the
common herd, for in every respect I would have him superior to his
age. Ever mindful of the delicate attentions due to the weak, he will
be gentle to all women, but not prone lightly to fall in love with
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