| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Cousin Betty by Honore de Balzac: of really handsome shoulders is one of the last charms a woman loses,
especially if she has lived chastely.
Adeline chose her dress carefully, but the pious and blameless woman
is decent to the end, in spite of her little coquettish graces. Of
what use were brand-new gray silk stockings and high heeled satin
shoes when she was absolutely ignorant of the art of displaying a
pretty foot at a critical moment, by obtruding it an inch or two
beyond a half-lifted skirt, opening horizons to desire? She put on,
indeed, her prettiest flowered muslin dress, with a low body and short
sleeves; but horrified at so much bareness, she covered her fine arms
with clear gauze sleeves and hid her shoulders under an embroidered
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Off on a Comet by Jules Verne: Servadac, although he acknowledged the justness of these observations,
could not help pleading that the explorations might be deferred until
after a visit had been paid to Gourbi Island.
"Depend upon it, captain, you are mistaken," replied the lieutenant;"
the right thing to do is to use the _Dobryna_ while she is available."
"Available! What do you mean?" asked the count, somewhat taken by surprise.
"I mean," said Procope, "that the farther this Gallia of ours
recedes from the sun, the lower the temperature will fall.
It is likely enough, I think, that before long the sea
will be frozen over, and navigation will be impossible.
Already you have learned something of the difficulties of
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: gray color, had a rather troubled light, and, after glancing at
Bessie Alden while she spoke, he rested them upon his kinsman.
Mrs. Westgate meanwhile, with her superfluously pretty gaze,
looked at everyone alike.
"You had better wait till the time comes," she said to her sister.
"Perhaps next May you won't care so much about London.
Mr. Beaumont and I," she went on, smiling at her companion,
"have had a tremendous discussion. We don't agree about anything.
It's perfectly delightful."
"Oh, I say, Percy!" exclaimed Lord Lambeth.
"I disagree," said Beaumont, stroking down his back hair,
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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 An International Episode by Henry James: Won't you come back?" she asked.
"No," said the young man, "I can't. I have seen your sister.
I can never come back." Then he looked at her a moment and took her hand.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Westgate," he said. "You have been very kind to me."
And with what she thought a strange, sad look in his handsome young face,
he turned away.
She went in, and she found Bessie still writing her letter;
that is, Mrs. Westgate perceived she was sitting at the table with
the pen in her hand and not writing. "Lord Lambeth has been here,"
said the elder lady at last.
Then Bessie got up and showed her a pale, serious face. She bent this face
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