| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: you I--may the Hope of my trust desert me when I do so! No,
madam; well you said the God you serve will open you a path for
deliverance. There is a way of escape. I have prayed night and
day for light, that I might see how to act betwixt my duty to
yonder unhappy man and that which I owe to you. Sternly and
fearfully that light has now dawned, and I must not shut the door
which God opens. Ask me no more. I will return in brief space."
So speaking, she wrapped herself in her mantle, and saying to the
old woman whom she passed in the outer room that she was going to
evening prayer, she left the house.
Meanwhile her father had reached once more the laboratory, where
 Kenilworth |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy: first love as lads, it is with the very centre of their hearts,
nothing else being concerned in the operation. With added years,
more of the faculties attempt a partnership in the passion, till
at Knight's age the understanding is fain to have a hand in it.
It may as well be left out. A man in love setting up his brains
as a gauge of his position is as one determining a ship's
longitude from a light at the mast-head.
Knight argued from Elfride's unwontedness of manner, which was
matter of fact, to an unwontedness in love, which was matter of
inference only. Incredules les plus credules. 'Elfride,' he
said, 'had hardly looked upon a man till she saw me.'
 A Pair of Blue Eyes |