The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: "C'est bien vague," remarked the Baroness. "What are they like?"
"Like nothing you ever saw."
"I am sure I am much obliged; but that is hardly more definite.
Seriously, they were glad to see you?"
"Enchanted. It has been the proudest day of my life. Never, never have
I been so lionized! I assure you, I was cock of the walk.
My dear sister," said the young man, "nous n'avons qu'a nous tenir;
we shall be great swells!"
Madame Munster looked at him, and her eye exhibited a slight
responsive spark. She touched her lips to a glass of wine,
and then she said, "Describe them. Give me a picture."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: went southward, into the Red Indian Sea, and past the sunny
lands where spices grow, round AEthiopia toward the West; and
that at last they came to Libya, and dragged their ship
across the burning sands, and over the hills into the Syrtes,
where the flats and quicksands spread for many a mile,
between rich Cyrene and the Lotus-eaters' shore. But all
these are but dreams and fables, and dim hints of unknown
lands.
But all say that they came to a place where they had to drag
their ship across the land nine days with ropes and rollers,
till they came into an unknown sea. And the best of all the
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