| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Massimilla Doni by Honore de Balzac: --the land which a Memmius had marched over as conqueror in the time
of the Romans! To see his ancestors in effigy on their tombs of
precious marbles in one of the most splendid churches in Venice, and
in a chapel graced with pictures by Titian and Tintoretto, by Palma,
Bellini, Paul Veronese--and to be prohibited from selling a marble
Memmi to the English for bread for the living Prince Varese! Genovese,
the famous tenor, could get in one season, by his warbling, the
capital of an income on which this son of the Memmi could live--this
descendant of Roman senators as venerable as Caesar and Sylla.
Genovese may smoke an Eastern hookah, and the Prince of Varese cannot
even have enough cigars!"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: she began, "there is something I should venture to ask you."
Bessie frowned a little; her dark blue eyes were more dark than blue.
But her sister went on. "As it is, I will take the risk.
You are not in love with Lord Lambeth: I believe it, perfectly.
Very good. But is there, by chance, any danger of your becoming so?
It's a very simple question; don't take offense. I have a
particular reason," said Mrs. Westgate, "for wanting to know."
Bessie Alden for some moments said nothing; she only looked displeased.
"No; there is no danger," she answered at last, curtly.
"Then I should like to frighten them," declared Mrs. Westgate,
clasping her jeweled hands.
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