| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf: he actually placed them on his nose--"they would not live long
in Wiltshire," he concluded; he dropped his glasses to his side again.
The three elderly people now gazed meditatively at the bird,
which was so obliging as to stay in the middle of the view for a
considerable space of time, thus making it unnecessary for them to
speak again. Hewet began to wonder whether he might not cross over
to the Flushings' corner, when Hirst appeared from the background,
slipped into a chair by Rachel's side, and began to talk to her with
every appearance of familiarity. Hewet could stand it no longer.
He rose, took his hat and dashed out of doors.
Chapter XVIII
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: his voice should ring bold and resolute.
"A charge built on air," sneered Blake, "which the first breath of truth
should utterly dispel. We have heard the impeachment. Will Your Grace
with the same consideration permit us to see the proofs that
we may lay bare their falseness? It should not be difficult."
"Do you say there is no such plot as is here alleged?" quoth the Duke,
and smote a paper sharply.
Blake shrugged his shoulders. "How should I know?" he asked. "I say
I have no share in any, that I am acquainted with none."
"Call Mr. Trenchard," said the Duke quietly, and an usher who had stood
tamely by the door at the far end of the room departed on the errand.
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