| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo: was a pause. Alfred laughed jovialiy. "It is? Well, hello,
Donneghey, this is your old friend Hardy, Alfred Hardy at the
Sherwood. I've just got back," then he broke the happy news to
the no doubt appreciative Donneghey. "What do you think?" he
said, "I'm a happy father."
Zoie puckered her small face in disgust.
Alfred continued to elucidate joyfully at the 'phone.
"Doubles," he said, "yes--sure--on the level."
"I don't know why you have to tell the whole neighbourhood,"
snapped Zoie. Her colour was visibly rising.
But Alfred was now in the full glow of his genial account to his
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: dark despair, "I am grateful to you for having made use of me as of
something which belonged to you. . . . Yes, I love you so much that
every day you I have dreamed of offering you in imitation of the
ladies, a thing that can be given but once. Take, then, my life!"
And the poor chevalier, in saying this, gave her one glance to suffice
for all the time he would have been able to look at her through the
long days. Hearing these brave and loving words, Bonne rose suddenly.
"Ah! were it not for Savoisy, how I would love thee!" said she.
"Alas! my fate is then accomplished," replied Boys-Bourredon. "My
horoscope predicted that I should die by the love of a great lady. Ah,
God!" said he, clutching his good sword, "I will sell my life dearly,
Droll Stories, V. 1 |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Cousin Betty by Honore de Balzac: "Well, five or six thousand francs."
"I have but three thousand at the most," said Lisbeth. "And what is
Wenceslas doing now?"
"He has had an offer to work in partnership with Stidmann at a table
service for the Duc d'Herouville for six thousand francs. Then
Monsieur Chanor will advance four thousand to repay Monsieur de Lora
and Bridau--a debt of honor."
"What, you have had the money for the statue and the bas-reliefs for
Marshal Montcornet's monument, and you have not paid them yet?"
"For the last three years," said Hortense, "we have spent twelve
thousand francs a year, and I have but a hundred louis a year of my
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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 Catherine de Medici by Honore de Balzac: consider themselves released toward the queen by having satisfied the
woman."
"Yes," said the queen, looking at the two Gondi, "I made a blunder."
"A blunder of the gods," replied Charles de Gondi.
"Gentlemen," said Catherine, "if I go over openly to the Reformers I
shall become the slave of a party."
"Madame," said Chiverni, eagerly, "I approve entirely of your meaning.
You must use them, but not serve them."
"Though your support does, undoubtedly, for the time being lie there,"
said Charles de Gondi, "we must not conceal from ourselves that
success and defeat are both equally perilous."
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