| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Enchanted Island of Yew by L. Frank Baum: "But you have also saved my life," answered Prince Marvel; "for had you
not warned me of the robbers' return they would surely have caught me."
"True," said the boy, brightening up; "therefore our score is now
even. But take care not to affront me again, for hereafter I will
show you no mercy!"
Prince Marvel looked at the boy with wonder. He was about his own
size, yet strong and well formed, and he would have been handsome
except for the expression of discontent upon his face. Yet his manner
and words were so absurd and unnatural that the prince was more amused
than angered by his new acquaintance, and presently laughed in his face.
"If all the people in this island are like you," he said, "I shall
The Enchanted Island of Yew |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Confidence by Henry James: when I feel as I do."
"How is it you feel?"
"Puzzled to death--bewildered--depressed!"
This was but the beginning of Gordon Wright's list; he went on to say that
though he "thought as highly" of Miss Vivian as he had ever done, he felt
less at his ease with her than in the first weeks of their acquaintance,
and this condition made him uncomfortable and unhappy.
"I don't know what 's the matter," said poor Gordon.
"I don't know what has come between us. It is n't her fault--
I don't make her responsible for it. I began to notice
it about a fortnight ago--before you came; shortly after
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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 The Amazing Interlude by Mary Roberts Rinehart: "I could be mute - shell shock. You could be helping me back."
But Henri only held his hand a moment and shook his head.
"You would double the risk, and - what good would it do?"
Two pistols are better than one."
"I have two pistols, my friend," said Henri, and turned the corner of
the building, past the boards Rene had built in, toward the house of
the mill. But once out of Jean's sight he stopped a moment, his hand
resting against that frail wall to Sara Lee's room. It was his good-by
to her.
For three days Jean stayed in the village. He slept at the mill, but
he came for his meals to the little house. Once he went to Dunkirk and
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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 My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: shall find me, if not more happy, at least more resigned."
"Sister," said Lady Bothwell, "if you are determined upon this
wild step, you shall not go alone. If this man be an impostor,
you may be too much agitated by your feelings to detect his
villainy. If, which I cannot believe, there be any truth in what
he pretends, you shall not be exposed alone to a communication of
so extraordinary a nature. I will go with you, if indeed you
determine to go. But yet reconsider your project, and renounce
inquiries which cannot be prosecuted without guilt, and perhaps
without danger."
Lady Forester threw herself into her sister's arms, and, clasping
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