| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: Those people were obviously more civilized than I was. They had
more rites, more ceremonies, more complexity in their sensations,
more knowledge of evil, more varied meanings to the subtle phrases
of their language. Naturally! I was still so young! And yet I
assure you, that just then I lost all sense of inferiority. And
why? Of course the carelessness and the ignorance of youth had
something to do with that. But there was something else besides.
Looking at Dona Rita, her head leaning on her hand, with her dark
lashes lowered on the slightly flushed cheek, I felt no longer
alone in my youth. That woman of whom I had heard these things I
have set down with all the exactness of unfailing memory, that
The Arrow of Gold |
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 Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: me your--"
In this danger, Marie boldly put her hand on the king's lips and said
in his ear,--
"I always thought you cautious and penetrating."
"Saint-Vallier," said the king, laughing, "I think that Bridore has
something to say to you."
The count left the room; but he made a gesture with his shoulders well
known to his wife, who could guess the thoughts of the jealous man,
and knew she must forestall his cruel designs.
"Tell me, my child, how do you think I am,--hey? Do I seem changed to
you?"
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