| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: willingly because her daughter Berthe and her son Paul were now of an
age when their education required the resources of Paris.
Madame de Cinq-Cygne went but little into society. Her husband could
not be ignorant of the regrets which lay in her tender heart; but he
showed her always the most exquisite delicacy, and died having loved
no other woman. This noble soul, not fully understood for a period of
time but to which the generous daughter of the Cinq-Cygnes returned in
his last years as true a love as that he gave to her, was completely
happy in his married life. Laurence lived for the joys of home. No
woman has ever been more cherished by her friends or more respected.
To be received in her house is an honor. Gentle, indulgent,
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Recruit by Honore de Balzac: showing the billet.
"True," said the prosecutor, reading the paper. "We expect a
detachment to-night."
And he went away.
The countess had too much need at this moment to believe in the
sincerity of her former attorney, to distrust his promise. She mounted
the stairs rapidly, though her strength seemed failing her; then she
opened the door, saw her son, and fell into his arms half dead,--
"Oh! my child! my child!" she cried, sobbing, and covering him with
kisses in a sort of frenzy.
"Madame!" said an unknown man.
|