| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: She nodded. "I will walk with you to the gates." And side by
side now they proceeded at a leisurely pace down the long avenue
in the June sunshine dappled by the shadows of the bordering trees.
"You are looking well, Andre; and do you know that you have changed
a deal? I am glad that you have prospered." And then, abruptly
changing the subject before he had time to answer her, she came to
the matter uppermost in her mind.
"I have so wanted to see you in all these months, Andre. You were
the only one who could help me; the only one who could tell me the
truth, and I was angry with you for never having written to say
where you were to be found."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: "Ha, ha! here's my crony and his thief. And here comes my little Marie
de Saint-Vallier; I'd forgotten all about it. Olivier," he said,
addressing the barber, "go and tell Monsieur de Montbazon to serve
some good Bourgeuil wine at dinner, and see that the cook doesn't
forget the lampreys; Madame le comtesse likes both those things. Can I
eat lampreys?" he added, after a pause, looking anxiously at Coyctier.
For all answer the physician began to examine his master's face. The
two men were a picture in themselves.
History and romance-writers have consecrated the brown camlet coat,
and the breeches of the same stuff, worn by Louis XI. His cap,
decorated with leaden medallions, and his collar of the order of
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