| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: the first bullet that I shall fire at them will have gone through
his scoundrelly brains."
Parsons still kicked.
"Very well, then, my merry men all. Tie this gentleman's hands
behind his back, get the horses out, and we'll right away up into
Dartmoor, find a good high tor, stand our ground there till
morning, and then carry him into Okehampton to the nearest justice.
If he chooses to delay me in my journey, it is fair that I should
make him pay for it."
Whereon Parsons gave in, and being fast tied by his arm to Amyas's
saddle, trudged alongside his horse for several weary miles, while
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Secret Places of the Heart by H. G. Wells: that to Sir Richmond seemed scarcely to have begun. She stood
looking at the great dark facade edged with moonlight for
some moments, and then turned towards the hotel, which showed
a pink-lit window.
"I wonder," she said, "if Belinda is still up, And what she
will think when I tell her of the final extinction of Mr.
Lake. I think she rather looked forward to being the intimate
friend, secrets and everything, of Mrs. Gunter Lake."
Section 10
Sir Richmond woke up at dawn and he woke out of an
extraordinary dream. He was saying to Miss Grammont:
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Roads of Destiny by O. Henry: the interest I feel in this house and all that is in it. Once it was
my home. Often I come here but to dream of those happy days again.
Will you let that be my excuse?"
"Let me tell you, then, for you need no excuse," stammered the poet.
"I live in the top floor--the small room where the stairs turn."
"In the front room?" asked the lady, turning her head sidewise.
"The rear, madame."
The lady sighed, as if with relief.
"I will detain you no longer then, monsieur," she said, employing the
round and artless eye. "Take good care of my house. Alas! only the
memories of it are mine now. Adieu, and accept my thanks for your
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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 Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: the order of this singular visitor. Bartolomeo frowned heavily,
casting a terrible look at the captain, as if he made him responsible
for the misfortunes that this refusal might occasion. Then he kept
silence, folded his arms tightly across his breast, and took up his
station under the portico which serves as an avenue of communication
between the garden and the court-yard of the Tuileries. Persons who
will things intensely are very apt to be helped by chance. At the
moment when Bartolomeo di Piombo seated himself on one of the stone
posts which was near the entrance, a carriage drew up, from which
Lucien Bonaparte, minister of the interior, issued.
"Ah, Loucian, it is lucky for me I have met you!" cried the stranger.
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