| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic: Instead of being the grandfather of a Duke, I have a childless
widow thrust back upon my hands! Fine luck, eh? And then,
to cap all, she takes her six hundred a year and goes off
by herself, and gives me the cold shoulder completely.
What is it Shakespeare says? 'How sharper than a serpent's
teeth'----"
Thorpe brought his fist down upon the table with an
emphasis which abruptly broke the quotation in half.
He had been frowning moodily at his guest for some minutes,
relighting his cigar more than once meanwhile. He had
made a mental calculation of what the old man had had
The Market-Place |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: its certain loss. I never thought of bringing any other token, nor
did Mr Haredale think of entrusting me with one--possibly because
he had good experience of my faith and honesty, and owed his life
to me.'
There was a reproof conveyed in these words, which to a nature like
Emma Haredale's, was well addressed. But Dolly, who was
differently constituted, was by no means touched by it, and still
conjured her, in all the terms of affection and attachment she
could think of, not to be lured away.
'Time presses,' said their visitor, who, although he sought to
express the deepest interest, had something cold and even in his
Barnaby Rudge |
