| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: the parent. You have seen nothing that resembles him,
because he works by secret springs, and moves by hidden
ways. All I can do for you is to make you one of the agents
of that providence.' The bargain was concluded. I may
sacrifice my soul, but what matters it?" added Monte Cristo.
"If the thing were to do again, I would again do it."
Villefort looked at Monte Cristo with extreme amazement.
"Count," he inquired, "have you any relations?"
"No, sir, I am alone in the world."
"So much the worse."
"Why?" asked Monte Cristo.
The Count of Monte Cristo |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Daisy Miller by Henry James: but this had been an observation of his whenever he met her.
Giovanelli was at her side, and Giovanelli, too, wore an aspect
of even unwonted brilliancy.
"Well," said Daisy, "I should think you would be lonesome!"
"Lonesome?" asked Winterbourne.
"You are always going round by yourself. Can't you get anyone
to walk with you?"
"I am not so fortunate," said Winterbourne, "as your companion."
Giovanelli, from the first, had treated Winterbourne with
distinguished politeness. He listened with a deferential air
to his remarks; he laughed punctiliously at his pleasantries;
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: was represented as recumbent, in his cowl and scapulaire, with
his face turned upward as in the act of devotion, and his hands
folded, from which his string of beads was dependent. On the
other side was a tomb, in the Italian taste, composed of the most
beautiful statuary marble, and accounted a model of modern art.
It was erected to the memory of Isabella's mother, the late Mrs.
Vere of Ellieslaw, who was represented as in a dying posture,
while a weeping cherub, with eyes averted, seemed in the act of
extinguishing a dying lamp as emblematic of her speedy
dissolution. It was, indeed, a masterpiece of art, but misplaced
in the rude vault to which it had been consigned. Many were
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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 Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard: and slim, bearing a shield high--so. As the third passed the gate, the
kaross he wore brushed against me and slipped aside. Beneath that
kaross was no man's breast, O King, but the shape of a woman, almost
white in colour, and very fair. In drawing back the kaross this third
one moved the shield. Behind that shield was no man's face, O King,
but the face of a girl, lovelier than the moon, and having eyes
brighter than the stars. Three went out at the mountain gate, O King,
only two returned, and, peeping after them, it seemed that I saw the
third running swiftly across the plains, as a young maid runs, O King.
This also, Elephant, Bulalio yonder denied me when, as captain of the
guard, I asked for the third who had passed the gate, saying that only
Nada the Lily |
