| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: and by representing to her who you were, borrowed from her such
a number of her retainers as he deemed must ensure your capture,
seeing that your familiar the friar was not at your elbow.
We set forth without delay, and traced you first by means
of a peasant who saw you turn into this valley, and afterwards
by the light from the casement of this solitary dwelling.
Our design was to have laid an ambush for you in the morning,
but the storm and your observation of my unlucky face through
the casement made us change our purpose; and what followed you
can tell better than I can, being indeed masters of the subject."
"You are a merry knave," said the baron, "and here is a cup
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: shame! Do not spoil my pleasure. But tell me, Rosa, -- as
the tulip is so far advanced, it will flower in two or three
days, at the latest?"
"To-morrow, or the day after."
"Ah! and I shall not see it," cried Cornelius, starting
back, "I shall not kiss it, as a wonderful work of the
Almighty, as I kiss your hand and your cheek, Rosa, when by
chance they are near the grating."
Rosa drew near, not by accident, but intentionally, and
Cornelius kissed her tenderly.
"Faith, I shall cull it, if you wish it."
The Black Tulip |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Daughter of Eve by Honore de Balzac: the solution to the riddle given by Raoul to his friends at Very's.
The struggle of this writer, risen from the lower classes, had cost
him the ten first years of his youth; and now in the days of his
success he longed to be loved by one of the queens of the great world.
Vanity, without which, as Champfort says, love would be but a feeble
thing, sustained his passion and increased it day by day.
"Can you swear to me," said Marie, "that you belong and will never
belong to any other woman?"
"There is neither time in my life nor place in my heart for any other
woman," replied Raoul, not thinking that he told a lie, so little did
he value Florine.
|
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 Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: soon caught his notice. He approached immediately,
and took the seat to which her movements invited him.
His first address made Catherine start. Though spoken low,
she could distinguish, "What! Always to be watched, in person
or by proxy!"
"Psha, nonsense!" was Isabella's answer in the
same half whisper. "Why do you put such things into
my head? If I could believe it--my spirit, you know,
is pretty independent."
"I wish your heart were independent. That would
be enough for me."
Northanger Abbey |
