| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: effaced all his former ill-opinion, and persuaded him not merely to forget
but to justify her conduct. Mr. Smith's account of her proceedings at
Langford, where he accused her of having made Mr. Mainwaring and a young
man engaged to Miss Mainwaring distractedly in love with her, which
Reginald firmly believed when he came here, is now, he is persuaded, only a
scandalous invention. He has told me so with a warmth of manner which spoke
his regret at having believed the contrary himself. How sincerely do I
grieve that she ever entered this house! I always looked forward to her
coming with uneasiness; but very far was it from originating in anxiety for
Reginald. I expected a most disagreeable companion for myself, but could
not imagine that my brother would be in the smallest danger of being
 Lady Susan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The White Moll by Frank L. Packard: the ascendency, he too shrugged his shoulders, and with a laugh
returned to his chair.
"You're a rare one, Bertha!" he said coolly. "I thought you'd be
wild with delight. I guess you're sick, all right - because usually
you're pretty sensible. I've tried to tell you that it wasn't my
fault I couldn't go near you, and that I had to keep away from -"
"What's the use of going over all that again?" she interrupted
tartly. "I guess I -"
"Oh, all right!" said Danglar hurriedly. "Don't start a row! After
to-night I've an idea you'll be sweet enough to your husband, and
I'm willing to wait. Matty maybe hasn't told you the whole of it."
|