| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from At the Sign of the Cat & Racket by Honore de Balzac: now three-and-thirty, was aware of the obstacle which a difference of
fifteen years placed between Augustine and himself. Being also too
clear-sighted not to understand Monsieur Guillaume's purpose, he knew
his inexorable principles well enough to feel sure that the second
would never marry before the elder. So the hapless assistant, whose
heart was as warm as his legs were long and his chest deep, suffered
in silence.
This was the state of the affairs in the tiny republic which, in the
heart of the Rue Saint-Denis, was not unlike a dependency of La
Trappe. But to give a full account of events as well as of feelings,
it is needful to go back to some months before the scene with which
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Letters of Two Brides by Honore de Balzac: de Soria, has just had all his property, titles, and dignities
confiscated by King Ferdinand, who in this way avenges a long-standing
feud. The Duke made a huge mistake in consenting to form a
constitutional ministry with Valdez. Happily, he escaped from Cadiz
before the arrival of the Duc d'Angouleme, who, with the best will in
the world, could not have saved him from the King's wrath."
This information gave me much food for reflection. I cannot describe
to you the suspense in which I passed the time till my next lesson,
which took place this morning.
During the first quarter of an hour I examined him closely, debating
inwardly whether he were duke or commoner, without being able to come
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