| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Vicar of Tours by Honore de Balzac: to all Mademoiselle Gamard's assertions, and indirectly censured her
conduct by maintaining the vicar's cause against his former landlady.
It is necessary for the full understanding of this history to explain
how the natural discernment and spirit of analysis which old women
bring to bear on the actions of others gave power to Mademoiselle
Gamard, and what were the resources on her side. Accompanied by the
taciturn Abbe Troubert she made a round of evening visits to five or
six houses, at each of which she met a circle of a dozen or more
persons, united by kindred tastes and the same general situation in
life. Among them were one or two men who were influenced by the gossip
and prejudices of their servants; five or six old maids who spent
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Princess of Parms by Edgar Rice Burroughs: since it gives me more pleasure to serve you than not."
"I will respect your wishes, John Carter, because I
understand the motives which prompt them, and I accept
your service no more willingly than I bow to your authority;
your word shall be my law. I have twice wronged you
in my thoughts and again I ask your forgiveness."
Further conversation of a personal nature was prevented
by the entrance of Sola, who was much agitated and wholly
unlike her usual calm and possessed self.
"That horrible Sarkoja has been before Tal Hajus," she
cried, "and from what I heard upon the plaza there is
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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 Moon-Face and Other Stories by Jack London: sped by, when the following note came to us through the mail:
OFFICE OF THE M. OF M. October 15, 1899.
MR. EBEN HALE, Money Baron:
Dear Sir,--Your second victim has fallen on schedule time. We are in no hurry;
but to increase the pressure we shall henceforth kill weekly. To protect
ourselves against police interference we shall hereafter inform you of the
event but a little prior to or simultaneously with the deed. Trusting this
finds you in good health,
We are,
THE MINIONS OF MIDAS.
This time Mr. Hale took up the paper, and after a brief search, read to me
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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 The Cavalry General by Xenophon: Thuc. v. 57; "Hell." VII. v. 23.
With regard to these devices and to any others which invention may
suggest towards capturing the foeman by force or fraud, I have one
common word of advice to add, which is, to act with God, and then
while Heaven propitious smiles, fortune will scarcely dare to
frown.[12]
[12] Or, "and then by the grace of Heaven you may win the smiles of
fortune," reading with Courier, etc., {ina kai e tukhe sunepaine}.
Cf. "Cyrop." III. iii. 20.
At times there is no more effective fraud than a make-believe[13] of
over-caution alien to the spirit of adventure. This itself will put
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