| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Betty Zane by Zane Grey: that counting the boys and the women who could handle rifles. The few
preparations had been completed and now the settlers were awaiting the
appearance of the enemy. Few words were spoken. The children were secured
where they would be out of the way of flying bullets. They were huddled
together silent and frightened; pale-faced but resolute women passed up and
down the length of the block-house; some carried buckets of water and baskets
of food; others were tearing bandages; grim-faced men peered from the
portholes; all were listening for the war-cry. They had not long to wait.
Before noon the well-known whoop came from the wooded shore of the river, and
it was soon by the appearance of hundreds of Indians. The river, which was
low, at once became a scene of great animation. From a placid, smoothly
Betty Zane |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honore de Balzac: by some Parisian vanity, or set determinations with himself to bring
such and such a woman to such and such a point of corruption, or else
adventures which stimulated his curiosity.
The report of Laurent, his /valet de chambre/ had just given an
enormous value to the girl with the golden eyes. It was a question of
doing battle with some secret enemy who seemed as dangerous as he was
cunning; and to carry off the victory, all the forces which Henri
could dispose of would be useful. He was about to play in that eternal
old comedy which will be always fresh, and the characters in which are
an old man, a young girl, and a lover: Don Hijos, Paquita, De Marsay.
If Laurent was the equal of Figaro, the duenna seemed incorruptible.
The Girl with the Golden Eyes |
