| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: cause may excuse it."
He then advanced a little before the rest, and called out, with a
loud voice,--"Stand, Mr. Earnscliff; or do you and Miss Vere
advance alone to meet us. You are charged with having carried
that lady off from her father's house; and we are here in arms to
shed our best blood for her recovery, and for bringing to justice
those who have injured her."
"And who would do that more willingly than I, Mr. Mareschal?"
said Earnscliff, haughtily,--"than I, who had the satisfaction
this morning to liberate her from the dungeon in which I found
her confined, and who am now escorting her back to the Castle of
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Master of the World by Jules Verne: mountain. The height of the Great Eyrie scarce exceeds five thousand
feet. A modest altitude, often surpassed in this section of the
Alleghanies. As we were already more than three thousand feet above
sea level, the fatigue of the ascent could not be great. A few hours
should suffice to bring us to the crest of the crater. Of course,
difficulties might present themselves, precipices to scale, clefts
and breaks in the ridge might necessitate painful and even dangerous
detours. This was the unknown, the spur to our attempt. As I said,
our guides knew no more than we upon this point. What made me
anxious, was, of course, the common report that the Great Eyrie was
wholly inaccessible. But this remained unproven And then there was
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Falk by Joseph Conrad: A sort of stag fight, perhaps. Or they may have
supposed Falk had come in only to annihilate me
completely. As a matter of fact, Falk had come in
because Hermann had asked him to inquire after the
precious white cotton parasol which, in the worry
and excitement of the previous day, he had forgot-
ten at the table where we had held our little discus-
sion.
It was this that gave me my opportunity. I
don't think I would have gone to seek Falk out.
No. I don't think so. There are limits. But there
Falk |
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 When the Sleeper Wakes by H. G. Wells: wish of yours to go into this city--this idea of
yours--. Yes, now I think the thing over it seems to
me not altogether--. It can be contrived. If you
would really find an interest in that! You are, of
course, Master. You can go soon if you like. A
disguise for this excursion Asano will be able to manage.
He would go with you. After all it is not a bad idea
of yours."
"You will not want to consult me in any matter?"
asked Graham suddenly, struck by an odd suspicion.
"Oh, dear no! No! I think you may trust affairs
When the Sleeper Wakes |
