| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen: obdurate, and I have tried other channels, but without any
result. I can't find out what became of Helen Vaughan after she
left Paul Street, but I think she must have gone abroad. But to
tell the truth, Austin, I haven't paid much attention to the
matter for the last few weeks; I knew poor Herries intimately,
and his terrible death has been a great shock to me, a great
shock."
"I can well believe it," answered Austin gravely, "you
know Argentine was a friend of mine. If I remember rightly, we
were speaking of him that day you came to my rooms."
"Yes; it was in connection with that house in Ashley
The Great God Pan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: pointing to a corner of the court.
Claparon and his tempter exchanged a few words, with their faces
turned to the wall. None of the onlookers guessed the nature of this
by-play, though their curiosity was keenly excited by the strange
gestures of the two contracting parties. When Castanier returned,
there was a sudden outburst of amazed exclamation. As in the Assembly
where the least event immediately attracts attention, all faces were
turned to the two men who had caused the sensation, and a shiver
passed through all beholders at the change that had taken place in
them.
The men who form the moving crowd that fills the Stock Exchange are
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Desert Gold by Zane Grey: "Tom, you recollect that whopper of a saguaro up here where
Carter's trail branches off the main trail to Casita? Well, I
climbed it an' left my hat on top for a woodpecker's nest."
"You've been running--fighting?" queried Belding, as if Ladd had
not spoken at all.
"I reckon it'll dawn on you after a while," replied Ladd, slipping
the saddle.
"Laddy, go in the house to the women," said Belding. "I'll tend to
your horse."
"Shore, Tom, in a minute. I've been down the road. An' I found
hoss tracks an' steer tracks goin' across the line. But I seen no
Desert Gold |
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 Enchanted Island of Yew by L. Frank Baum: girl, with a lovely smile; "so do not let that bother you. And now
tell me, will you help me to fight my battles?"
"Willingly!" exclaimed Nerle and Prince Marvel, almost as if they had
been twins of Twi. And the Ki rubbed their bald heads a moment, and
then sneezed together and wiped their eyes on faded yellow
handkerchiefs, and finally declared they would "stick to her Supreme
Highness through thick and thin!"
"Then go over the wall to the cities, at once, and get together all
the soldiers to fight for me and my cause," commanded the girl.
The twin Ki at once left the room, and the High Ki sat down and began
to ask questions of Prince Marvel and Nerle about the big outside
The Enchanted Island of Yew |
