| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Emma by Jane Austen: might see him again, which makes this day's news doubly welcome.
It has been completely unexpected. That is, I always had a strong
persuasion he would be here again soon, I was sure something
favourable would turn up--but nobody believed me. He and Mrs. Weston
were both dreadfully desponding. `How could he contrive to come?
And how could it be supposed that his uncle and aunt would spare
him again?' and so forth--I always felt that something would happen
in our favour; and so it has, you see. I have observed, Mrs. Elton,
in the course of my life, that if things are going untowardly one month,
they are sure to mend the next."
"Very true, Mr. Weston, perfectly true. It is just what I used
 Emma |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: I have been a Bohemian--yes; but in Bohemia I always passed
for a gentleman. I wish you could see some of my old camarades--
they would tell you! It was the liberty I liked,
but not the opportunities! My sins were all peccadilloes;
I always respected my neighbor's property--my neighbor's wife.
Do you see, dear uncle?" Mr. Wentworth ought to have seen;
his cold blue eyes were intently fixed. "And then, c'est fini!
It 's all over. Je me range. I have settled down to a
jog-trot. I find I can earn my living--a very fair one--
by going about the world and painting bad portraits. It 's not
a glorious profession, but it is a perfectly respectable one.
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