| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: weather continuing to increase. Until now, it had been
undecided whether the supper should take place in the
dining-room, or under a long tent erected on the lawn, but
the beautiful blue sky, studded with stars, had settled the
question in favor of the lawn. The gardens were illuminated
with colored lanterns, according to the Italian custom, and,
as is usual in countries where the luxuries of the table --
the rarest of all luxuries in their complete form -- are
well understood, the supper-table was loaded with wax-lights
and flowers.
At the time the Countess of Morcerf returned to the rooms,
The Count of Monte Cristo |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Chouans by Honore de Balzac: the slightest suffering, she went to the guard-room at the Porte
Saint-Leonard and asked where the commandant lived. She had hardly
left her house when Corentin entered it.
"Oh, Monsieur Corentin," cried Francine, "if you are interested in
this young man, save him; Mademoiselle has gone to give him up because
of this wretched letter."
Corentin took the letter carelessly and asked,--
"Which way did she go?"
"I don't know."
"Yes," he said, "I will save her from her own despair."
He disappeared, taking the letter with him. When he reached the street
The Chouans |
