| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Old Maid by Honore de Balzac: highwaymen might put into the operation; the chaise itself was rolled
into the coach-house, the gates closed, and in a few moments all signs
of Monsieur de Troisville's arrival had disappeared. Never did two
chemicals blend into each other with greater rapidity than the hotel
Cormon displayed in absorbing the Vicomte de Troisville.
Mademoiselle, whose heart was beating like a lizard caught by a
herdsman, sat heroically still on her sofa, beside the fire in the
salon. Josette opened the door; and the Vicomte de Troisville,
followed by the Abbe de Sponde, presented himself to the eyes of the
spinster.
"Niece, this is Monsieur le Vicomte de Troisville, the grandson of one
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: and Backus knew them all, and had afflicted them all with his pet topic.
As I moved away, I saw one of the gamblers approach and accost him;
then another of them; then the third. I halted; waited; watched;
the conversation continued between the four men; it grew earnest;
Backus drew gradually away; the gamblers followed, and kept at his elbow.
I was uncomfortable. However, as they passed me presently, I heard
Backus say, with a tone of persecuted annoyance--
'But it ain't any use, gentlemen; I tell you again, as I've
told you a half a dozen times before, I warn't raised to it,
and I ain't a-going to resk it.'
I felt relieved. 'His level head will be his sufficient protection,'
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Princess of Parms by Edgar Rice Burroughs: plunge, thus indicating the surrender of the remaining vessels,
did the fighting cease, and the useless sacrifice of brave men
come to an end.
We now signaled the flagship of Helium's navy to approach,
and when she was within hailing distance I called out that
we had the Princess Dejah Thoris on board, and that we
wished to transfer her to the flagship that she might be
taken immediately to the city.
As the full import of my announcement bore in upon
them a great cry arose from the decks of the flagship, and
a moment later the colors of the Princess of Helium broke
|
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 The Foolish Virgin by Thomas Dixon: man about whose character you knew so little. It's the
timid, shrinking, home-loving girl that makes this
mistake. You must face it now. You are responsible as
deeply and truly as the man who married you. That he
happened at that moment to be a brute and a criminal is
no more his fault than yours. It was YOUR business
to KNOW before you made him the father of your
child."
"I tried to appeal to his better nature that awful
night," Mary interrupted, "but he only laughed at me!"
"You owe him another trial, little mother--you owe
|
