| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Princess of Parms by Edgar Rice Burroughs: might take it upon himself to lead a charge upon me.
Having no desire to awaken their nasty tempers upon such
a night as this, where so much depended upon secrecy and
dispatch, I hugged the shadows of the buildings, ready at
an instant's warning to leap into the safety of a nearby
door or window. Thus I moved silently to the great gates
which opened upon the street at the back of the court, and
as I neared the exit I called softly to my two animals. How
I thanked the kind providence which had given me the foresight
to win the love and confidence of these wild dumb brutes, for
presently from the far side of the court I saw two huge bulks
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Ferragus by Honore de Balzac: Ferragus is sound asleep, you can see and hear them to-morrow at your
ease. I'm on good terms with a locksmith,--a very friendly man, who
talks like an angel, and he'll do the work for me and say nothing
about it."
"Then here's a hundred francs for him. Come to-night to Monsieur
Desmaret's office; he's a notary, and here's his address. At nine
o'clock the deed will be ready, but--silence!"
"Enough, monsieur; as you say--silence! Au revoir, monsieur."
Jules went home, almost calmed by the certainty that he should know
the truth on the morrow. As he entered the house, the porter gave him
the letter properly resealed.
Ferragus |
