| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: them fire a volley? One man said he would do it gladly in Halket's place,
if told off; why had he made such a fool of himself? So they chatted till
nine o'clock, when the Englishman and Colonial left to turn in. They found
Halket asleep, close to the side of the tent, with his face turned to the
canvas. And they lay down quietly that they might not disturb him.
At ten o'clock all the camp was asleep, excepting the two men told off to
keep guard; who paced from one end of the camp to the other to keep
themselves awake; or stood chatting by the large fire, which still burnt at
one end.
In the Captain's tent a light was kept burning all night, which shone
through the thin canvas sides, and shed light on the ground about; but, for
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson: Three times the cards went all round the table, and neither of the
marked cards had yet fallen from his hand. The excitement as he
began the fourth distribution was overwhelming. There were just
cards enough to go once more entirely round. The Prince, who sat
second from the dealer's left, would receive, in the reverse mode
of dealing practised at the club, the second last card. The third
player turned up a black ace - it was the ace of clubs. The next
received a diamond, the next a heart, and so on; but the ace of
spades was still undelivered. At last, Geraldine, who sat upon the
Prince's left, turned his card; it was an ace, but the ace of
hearts.
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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 Ann Veronica by H. G. Wells: black hair flowed off her open forehead to pass under the control
of a simple ribbon of silver. A silver necklace enhanced the
dusky beauty of her neck. Both husband and wife affected an
unnatural ease of manner for the benefit of the efficient
parlor-maid, who was putting the finishing touches to the
sideboard arrangements.
"It looks all right," said Capes.
"I think everything's right," said Ann Veronica, with the roaming
eye of a capable but not devoted house-mistress.
"I wonder if they will seem altered," she remarked for the third
time.
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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 Oscar Wilde Miscellaneous by Oscar Wilde: MYRRHINA. The beauty. . .
HONORIUS. The beauty of the soul increases until it can see God.
Therefore, Myrrhina, repent of thy sins. The robber who was
crucified beside Him He brought into Paradise. [Exit.]
MYRRHINA. How strangely he spake to me. And with what scorn did he
regard me. I wonder why he spake to me so strangely.
* * * * *
HONORIUS. Myrrhina, the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see
now clearly what I did not see before. Take me to Alexandria and
let me taste of the seven sins.
MYRRHINA. Do not mock me, Honorius, nor speak to me with such
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