| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ivanhoe by Walter Scott: makes part of a procession.''
``Well, I will resume my resolution,'' replied
the haughty Templar. ``She has despised me---
repulsed me---reviled me---And wherefore should
I offer up for her whatever of estimation I have in
the opinion of others? Malvoisin, I will appear in
the lists.''
He left the apartment hastily as he uttered these
words, and the Preceptor followed, to watch and
confirm him in his resolution; for in Bois-Guilbert's
fame he had himself a strong interest, expecting
Ivanhoe |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Pupil by Henry James: Pemberton.
"The less you expect the better!" her companion interposed. "But
we ARE people of fashion."
"Only so far as YOU make us so!" Mrs. Moreen tenderly mocked.
"Well then, on Friday - don't tell me you're superstitious - and
mind you don't fail us. Then you'll see us all. I'm so sorry the
girls are out. I guess you'll like the girls. And, you know, I've
another son, quite different from this one."
"He tries to imitate me," Morgan said to their friend.
"He tries? Why he's twenty years old!" cried Mrs. Moreen.
"You're very witty," Pemberton remarked to the child - a
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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 A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: all the languages, master of all sciences, a mind without horizons,
a heart of gold, the glory of her race! On whom be peace!"
"Amen. It is marvellous!"
"Verily. I knew many things, she has taught me others. I am
educated. I will tell you about her."
"I listen - I am enchanted."
"I will tell a plain tale, calmly, without excitement, without
eloquence. When she had been here four or five weeks she was
already erudite in military things, and they made her an officer -
a double officer. She rode the drill every day, like any soldier;
and she could take the bugle and direct the evolutions herself.
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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 Mother by Owen Wister: to-night, or will it be a Walter success?"
But Mr. Hillard, besides being an author and a critic, cared little for
the too literary cleverness of Mr. Graves. He therefore heavily crushed
that gentleman's allusion to Wagner's opera. "I remember," he said, "the
singing contest between Beckmesser and Walter, and I doubt if we are to
be afflicted with anything so dull in this house."
Richard had settled himself in the easy-chair, and was looking
thoughtfully at various objects in the room, while the small-talk was
subsiding around him.
"Why, Mr. Field," said Mrs. Davenport, "you look as if you could find
nothing to suggest your story to you."
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