| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: physical strength returned, the butler would forget his
hallucinations. The handkerchief with its embroidered letter "B,"
used by Jimmie to inhale the fumes from his amyl nitrite capsules,
was finally traced to its rightful owner - Mrs. Brewster.
And Mrs. Brewster was due in his office within a very short time.
Kent's square jaw became more pronounced; she should not leave
until she had either confessed her connection with Turnbull's death,
or established her innocence. Surely it would be easy for Mrs.
Brewster to do so, but - aconitine had been prescribed for her; she
was familiar with the poison, she had it at hand, she went to the
police court, and kept her trip a secret, and she had laughed when
The Red Seal |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Start in Life by Honore de Balzac: elegant, and, at a little distance, gives one the illusion--"
"She will always be an illusion to you," said Leger, who seemed
inclined to revenge himself on his former hoaxer.
"I respect her," said Georges. "But, by the bye, what became of that
steward whom the count turned off?"
"Moreau?" said Leger; "why, he's the deputy from the Oise."
"Ha! the famous Centre man; Moreau de l'Oise?" cried Georges.
"Yes," returned Leger, "Moreau de l'Oise. He did more than you for the
revolution of July, and he has since then bought the beautiful estate
of Pointel, between Presles and Beaumont."
"Next to the count's," said Georges. "I call that very bad taste."
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