| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Yates Pride by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: "Would we dare unless Eudora Yates offered to show it?" said
Julia, with a surprised air; and the others nodded assent. Then
they all crowded to the front windows and watched from behind the
screens of green flowering things. It was very early in the
spring. Fairly hot days alternated with light frosts. The trees
were touched with sprays of rose and gold and gold-green, but the
wind still blew cold from the northern snows, and the occupant of
Eudora's ancient carriage was presumably wrapped well to shelter
it from harm. There was, in fact, nothing to be seen in the
carriage, except a large roll of blue and white, as Eudora
emerged from the yard and closed the iron gate of the tall fence
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The American by Henry James: "Well, then," said Newman, "where is this place of yours--Fleurieres?
I know it is near some old city on a hill."
"Precisely. Poitiers is on a hill," said Madame de Bellegarde.
"I don't know how old it is. We are not afraid to tell you."
"It is Poitiers, is it? Very good," said Newman.
"I shall immediately follow Madame de Cintre."
"The trains after this hour won't serve you," said Urbain.
"I shall hire a special train!"
"That will be a very silly waste of money," said Madame de Bellegarde.
"It will be time enough to talk about waste three days hence,"
Newman answered; and clapping his hat on his head, he departed.
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