| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Master of the World by Jules Verne: mountain, where the shadows of night still lingered, a strange noise
swept across the air, a sort of whirring, accompanied by the beating
of mighty wings. And had it been a clear day, perhaps the farmers
would have seen the passage of a mighty bird of prey, some monster of
the skies, which having risen from the Great Eyrie sped away toward
the east.
Chapter 2
I REACH MORGANTON
The twenty-seventh of April, having left Washington the night before,
I arrived at Raleigh, the capital of the State of North Carolina.
Two days before, the head of the federal police had called me to his
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Case of the Golden Bullet by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: "Muller, Muller," repeated the Councillor, as if he were
particularly anxious to remember the name. He held out his hand
to the detective. "I thank you, ab, indeed, it thank you," he
said with the first sign of emotion he had shown, and then added
low: "Do not fear that you will have trouble on my account. They
can find me in my home." With these words he turned away and sat
down in his chair again. When Bauer entered the room a few moments
later, Kniepp was smoking calmly.
"Now, Muller, I'm ready. Horn will be in in a moment, friend
Kniepp; I know you will enjoy his chatter." The chief led the way
out of the room through another door. He could not see the ghastly
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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 Domestic Peace by Honore de Balzac: the happiness of happy wives. I, my dear, have played that perilous
game. Dear heaven! for a triumph of vanity some poor virtuous soul is
murdered--for there really are virtuous women, child,--and we may make
ourselves mortally hated. I learned, a little too late, that, as the
Duc d'Albe once said, one salmon is worth a thousand frogs! A genuine
affection certainly brings a thousand times more happiness than the
transient passions we may inspire.--Well, I came here on purpose to
preach to you; yes, you are the cause of my appearance in this house,
which stinks of the lower class. Have I not just seen actors here?
Formerly, my dear, we received them in our boudoir; but in the
drawing-room--never!--Why do you look at me with so much amazement?
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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 Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey: remembered that he had been known to use it. But during the long
moment while he watched her there was nothing commonplace in the
slow-gathering might of his wrath.
"Brother Tull has talked to me," he began. "It was your father's
wish that you marry Tull, and my order. You refused
him?"
"Yes."
"You would not give up your friendship with that tramp Venters?"
"No."
"But you'll do as I order!" he thundered. "Why, Jane Withersteen,
you are in danger of becoming a heretic! You can thank your
Riders of the Purple Sage |
