| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Camille by Alexandre Dumas: should be, and would not wish to leave me in that condition. But,
if so, why those tears? No doubt, despite her love for me, the
poor girl could not make up her mind to give up all the luxury in
which she had lived until now, and for which she had been so
envied, without crying over it. I was quite ready to forgive her
for such regrets. I waited for her impatiently, that I might say
to her, as I covered her with kisses, that I had guessed the
reason of her mysterious absence.
Nevertheless, the night went on, and Marguerite did not return.
My anxiety tightened its circle little by little, and began to
oppress my head and heart. Perhaps something had happened to her.
Camille |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: secret, and you will be well rewarded then for your quickness and
obedience, you will know then how much I love you. Leave me alone for
a minute, and let no one--no matter whom--come in meanwhile.'
"Ernest went out and saw his mother standing in the next room.
" 'Ernest,' said she, 'come here.'
"She sat down, drew her son to her knees, and clasped him in her arms,
and held him tightly to her heart.
" 'Ernest, your father said something to you just now.'
" 'Yes, mamma.'
" 'What did he say?'
" 'I cannot repeat it, mamma.'
Gobseck |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Brother of Daphne by Dornford Yates: "Am I, Judy- am I?" I said gently, taking her hand.
"Yes," she said, snatching it away. " You are and will be. Go
out
and get the money."
I adjusted my nose thoughtfully. Daphne was, of course, in
great evidence. Anxious to run no unnecessary risk, I avoided
her when possible, and when I did find myself in her proximity, I
at once indulged in some of my more extravagant behaviour.
"Where's your brother?" I heard a worker say.
"Brother!" said Daphne bitterly. "Coward! And I really thought
we should have him this time. Fled to London before we were up
The Brother of Daphne |
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 Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: Paris.
As we look down on this vast capital from the lantern of the Pantheon,
the Palace with the Sainte-Chapelle is still the most monumental of
many monumental buildings. The home of our kings, over which you tread
as you pace the immense hall known as the Salle des Pas-Perdus, was a
miracle of architecture; and it is so still to the intelligent eye of
the poet who happens to study it when inspecting the Conciergerie.
Alas! for the Conciergerie has invaded the home of kings. One's heart
bleeds to see the way in which cells, cupboards, corridors, warders'
rooms, and halls devoid of light or air, have been hewn out of that
beautiful structure in which Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque--the
|
