The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Passion in the Desert by Honore de Balzac: less terror her swiftness, suppleness, and softness. Toward the end of
the day he had familiarized himself with his perilous position; he now
almost liked the painfulness of it. At last his companion had got into
the habit of looking up at him whenever he cried in a falsetto voice,
"Mignonne."
At the setting of the sun Mignonne gave, several times running, a
profound melancholy cry. "She's been well brought up," said the
lighthearted soldier; "she says her prayers." But this mental joke
only occurred to him when he noticed what a pacific attitude his
companion remained in. "Come, ma petite blonde, I'll let you go to bed
first," he said to her, counting on the activity of his own legs to
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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 The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: service should be held in the chapel of the convent for the repose of
his soul. To those who objected to this edict she answered: "Do you
know many for whom it is more necessary to implore God's mercy?"
Under the Restoration, the celebration of this service became a sort
of scandal; but Mother Marie-des-Anges would never hear of suppressing
it, and the great veneration which has always surrounded her obliged
these cavillers to hold their tongues. This courageous obstinacy had
its reward, under the government of July. To-day Mother Marie-des-
Anges is high in court favor, and there is nothing she cannot obtain
in the most august regions of power; but it is only just to add that
she asks nothing,--not even for her charities, for she provides the
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