| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: shoulders, and, with the air of a judge, proceeded to put questions to
Jacob.
"Since the prophet is dead--" he began.
Murmurs interrupted him. Many persons believed that Elias was not
dead, but had only disappeared.
Eleazar rebuked those who had interrupted him; and continuing, asked:
"And dost thou believe that he has indeed come to life again?"
"Why should I not believe it?" Jacob replied.
The Sadducees shrugged their shoulders. Jonathas, opening wide his
little eyes, gave a forced, buffoon-like laugh. Nothing could be more
absurd, said he, than the idea that a human body could have eternal
Herodias |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: of these things pressed upon her with an overmastering force,
and she felt herself yielding to one of the most genuine emotions
she had ever known. "I should like to stay here," she said.
"Pray take me in."
Though she was smiling, there were tears in her voice as well as in her eyes.
"My dear niece," said Mr. Wentworth, softly. And Charlotte put out her
arms and drew the Baroness toward her; while Robert Acton turned away,
with his hands stealing into his pockets.
CHAPTER IV
A few days after the Baroness Munster had presented herself
to her American kinsfolk she came, with her brother, and took up
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