| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: the first radiation, and if her profane allusions to her husband's
work had not still rung in his ears he should have liked her - so
far as it could be a question of that in connexion with a woman to
whom he had not yet spoken and to whom probably he should never
speak if it were left to her. Pretty women were a clear need to
this genius, and for the hour it was Miss Fancourt who supplied the
want. If Overt had promised himself a closer view the occasion was
now of the best, and it brought consequences felt by the young man
as important. He saw more in St. George's face, which he liked the
better for its not having told its whole story in the first three
minutes. That story came out as one read, in short instalments -
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: Elves glided silently about, lest they should break their slumbers.
They led Eva to a bed of pure white leaves, above which drooped
the fragrant petals of a crimson rose.
"You can look at the bright colors till the light fades, and then
the rose will sing you to sleep," said the Elves, as they folded the
soft leaves about her, gently kissed her, and stole away.
Long she lay watching the bright shadows, and listening to the song
of the rose, while through the long night dreams of lovely things
floated like bright clouds through her mind; while the rose bent
lovingly above her, and sang in the clear moonlight.
With the sun rose the Fairies, and, with Eva, hastened away to
Flower Fables |
