| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: 'It would be odd, now, just to glance at it,' said Otto, wavering.
Gotthold's brow darkened, and he looked out of window.
But though the Prince understood the reproof, his weakness
prevailed. 'I will,' he said, with an uneasy laugh, 'I will, I
think, just glance at it.'
So saying, he resumed his seat and spread the traveller's manuscript
upon the table.
CHAPTER II - 'ON THE COURT OF GRUNEWALD,' BEING A PORTION OF THE
TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT
IT may well be asked (IT WAS THUS THE ENGLISH TRAVELLER BEGAN HIS
NINETEENTH CHAPTER) why I should have chosen Grunewald out of so
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs: And then there came to me a sudden realization of the
predicament in which I had placed myself. I was entirely
within the power of the savage man whose skiff I had stolen.
Still clinging to the spear I looked into his face to find
him scrutinizing me intently, and there we stood for some
several minutes, each clinging tenaciously to the weapon
the while we gazed in stupid wonderment at each other.
What was in his mind I do not know, but in my own was
merely the question as to how soon the fellow would
recommence hostilities.
Presently he spoke to me, but in a tongue which I was
At the Earth's Core |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: "Go, tell Richard so," said Wilding, who knew naught of Richard's
altered ways.
"I've thought of it; but haply he's sensitive on the score of drinking
with me again. He has done it twice to his undoing."
"He'll do it a third time, no doubt," said Mr. Wilding curtly, and
Trenchard, taking the hint, turned with a shrug, and went up the lawn
towards the house. He found Richard in the porch, where he had
lingered fearfully, waiting for news. At sight of Mr. Trenchard's grim,
weather-beaten countenance he came forward suddenly.
"How has it sped?" he asked, his lips twitching on the words.
"Yonder they sit," said Trenchard, pointing down the lawn.
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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 An International Episode by Henry James: "There are plenty of places to go to," said Lord Lambeth;
"each one stupider than the other. I mean people's houses;
they send you cards."
"No one has sent us cards," said Bessie.
"We are very quiet," her sister declared. "We are here as travelers."
"We have been to Madame Tussaud's," Bessie pursued.
"Oh, I say!" cried Lord Lambeth.
"We thought we should find your image there," said Mrs. Westgate--"yours
and Mr. Beaumont's."
"In the Chamber of Horrors?" laughed the young man.
"It did duty very well for a party," said Mrs. Westgate.
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