| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Start in Life by Honore de Balzac: "Though Monsieur le comte," said Madame de Reybert in conclusion, "may
have judged me unfavorably for the step I have taken unknown to my
husband, he ought to be convinced that we have obtained this
information about his steward in a natural and honorable manner; the
most sensitive conscience cannot take exception to it."
So saying, Madame de Reybert, nee de Corroy, stood erect as a pike-
staff. She presented to the rapid investigation of the count a face
seamed with the small-pox like a colander with holes, a flat, spare
figure, two light and eager eyes, fair hair plastered down upon an
anxious forehead, a small drawn-bonnet of faded green taffetas lined
with pink, a white gown with violet spots, and leather shoes. The
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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 Travels with a Donkey in the Cevenne by Robert Louis Stevenson: service and risen to the rank of commandant; and he retained some
of the brisk decisive manners of the camp. On the other hand, as
soon as his resignation was accepted, he had come to Our Lady of
the Snows as a boarder, and, after a brief experience of its ways,
had decided to remain as a novice. Already the new life was
beginning to modify his appearance; already he had acquired
somewhat of the quiet and smiling air of the brethren; and he was
as yet neither an officer nor a Trappist, but partook of the
character of each. And certainly here was a man in an interesting
nick of life. Out of the noise of cannon and trumpets, he was in
the act of passing into this still country bordering on the grave,
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