| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Foolish Virgin by Thomas Dixon: windows wide on their hinges and leaned out.
His keen eyes were watching. He lifted his cap and
waved. She answered with the flutter of her
handkerchief--and all resolutions were off.
"Of course, I'll go," she cried, with a laugh.
"It's a glorious day--I may never have such a chance
again."
CHAPTER V
WINGS OF STEEL
She threw on her furs and hurried downstairs. Her
surrender was too sudden to realize that she was being
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Return not to Dusar without her, upon pain of death!"
Astok, Prince of Dusar, well knew his royal father's temper.
He knew that in the tyrant's heart there pulsed no single
throb of love for any creature.
Astok's mother had been a slave woman. Nutus had never
loved her. He had never loved another. In youth he had
tried to find a bride at the courts of several of his
powerful neighbours, but their women would have none of him.
After a dozen daughters of his own nobility had sought
self-destruction rather than wed him he had given up.
And then it had been that he had legally wed one of his
Thuvia, Maid of Mars |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Lysis by Plato: presence of evil the neither good nor evil has of the good, either in the
soul, or in the body, or anywhere.
They both agreed and entirely assented, and for a moment I rejoiced and was
satisfied like a huntsman just holding fast his prey. But then a most
unaccountable suspicion came across me, and I felt that the conclusion was
untrue. I was pained, and said, Alas! Lysis and Menexenus, I am afraid
that we have been grasping at a shadow only.
Why do you say so? said Menexenus.
I am afraid, I said, that the argument about friendship is false:
arguments, like men, are often pretenders.
How do you mean? he asked.
Lysis |
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 Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: perfect harmony with the cool curiosity he gave throughout to the
judge's words, while Camusot studied him with cunning attention.
"Take care," said Camusot; "listen to me."
"I am listening, sir."
"You aunt is a wardrobe dealer at the Temple; her business is managed
by a demoiselle Paccard, the sister of a convict--herself a very good
girl, known as la Romette. Justice is on the traces of your aunt, and
in a few hours we shall have decisive evidence. The woman is wholly
devoted to you----"
"Pray go on, Monsieur le Juge," said Collin coolly, in answer to a
pause; "I am listening to you."
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