| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
"What is that?" asked the other sharply. "No hesitations, Miss
Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going."
But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
"It's so difficult--you see, if I'm wrong--oh, it would be
dreadful." She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. "Never
forgive me," she observed cryptically.
"You want me to help you out, eh?"
"Yes, please. YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?"
"Yes," said Sir James gravely. "At last I do."
"At last?" queried Tuppence doubtfully. "Oh, but I thought----"
Secret Adversary |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Second Home by Honore de Balzac: showed the independence and freedom in which he was brought up. No
sort of shyness between the father and child interfered with the charm
which rewards a parent for his devotion; and the cheerfulness of the
little family was as sweet as it was genuine. In the evening a magic-
lantern displayed its illusions and mysterious pictures on a white
sheet to Charles' great surprise, and more than once the innocent
child's heavenly rapture made Caroline and Roger laugh heartily.
Later, when the little boy was in bed, the baby woke and craved its
limpid nourishment. By the light of a lamp in the chimney corner,
Roger enjoyed the scene of peace and comfort, and gave himself up to
the happiness of contemplating the sweet picture of the child clinging
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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 The Jolly Corner by Henry James: want you to pull THIS to pieces!" His answer came, promptly, with
his re-awakened wrath: it was of course exactly what they wanted,
and what they were "at" him for, daily, with the iteration of
people who couldn't for their life understand a man's liability to
decent feelings. He had found the place, just as it stood and
beyond what he could express, an interest and a joy. There were
values other than the beastly rent-values, and in short, in short -
! But it was thus Miss Staverton took him up. "In short you're to
make so good a thing of your sky-scraper that, living in luxury on
THOSE ill-gotten gains, you can afford for a while to be
sentimental here!" Her smile had for him, with the words, the
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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 Unconscious Comedians by Honore de Balzac: was you who forced the minister into the tribune."
"And made him lie like a charlatan," returned Canalis.
"A worthy victory," said the honest Giraud. "In his place what would
you have done?"
"I should have lied."
"It isn't called lying," said Maxime de Trailles; "it is called
protecting the crown."
So saying, he led Canalis away to a little distance.
"That's a great orator," said Leon to Giraud, pointing to Canalis.
"Yes and no," replied the councillor of state. "A fine bass voice, and
sonorous, but more of an artist in words than an orator. In short,
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