| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Polly of the Circus by Margaret Mayo: "Mr. Douglas!" shouted Strong, when his breath had returned.
"Hush, hush!" whispered Douglas, looking over the hedge. He
peeped cautiously about him, then came toward the men with a sigh
of relief. "It's all right. She has gone the other way."
"It'll be a good thing for you if she never comes back," said
Strong, and Douglas's quick ear caught an unpleasant meaning in
his tone.
"What's that?" the pastor asked, in a low, steady voice.
"We don't like some of the things that are going on here, and I
want to talk to you about 'em."
"Very well, but see if you can't talk in a lower key."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: to the height that enemy is raised above us. Ginevra's behavior was an
enigma to all her companions; her friends and enemies were equally
surprised; for the former claimed for her all good qualities, except
that of forgiveness of injuries. Though, of course, the occasions for
displaying that vice of nature were seldom afforded to Ginevra in the
life of a studio, still, the specimens she had now and then given of
her vindictive disposition had left a strong impression on the minds
of her companions.
After many conjectures, Mademoiselle Roguin came to the conclusion
that the Italian's silence showed a grandeur of soul beyond all
praise; and the banking circle, inspired by her, formed a project to
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