| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: "I followed them and I heard them speaking beyond a closed door,"
replied I-Gos; "but I did not see them."
"Where is that door?" cried O-Tar. "We will send at once and
fetch them," he looked about the table as though to decide to
whom he would entrust this duty. A dozen warrior chiefs arose and
laid their hands upon their swords.
"To the chambers of O-Mai the Cruel I traced them," squeaked
I-Gos. "There you will find them where the moaning Corphals
pursue the shrieking ghost of O-Mai; ey!" and he turned his eyes
from O-Tar toward the warriors who had arisen, only to discover
that, to a man, they were hurriedly resuming their seats.
The Chessmen of Mars |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Ferragus by Honore de Balzac: "Ten thousand deaths!" she cried, interrupting him.
"I have never hidden a thought from you, but you--"
"Hush!" she said, "our happiness depends upon our mutual silence."
"Ha! I /will/ know all!" he exclaimed, with sudden violence.
At that moment the cries of a woman were heard,--the yelping of a
shrill little voice came from the antechamber.
"I tell you I will go in!" it cried. "Yes, I shall go in; I will see
her! I shall see her!"
Jules and Clemence both ran to the salon as the door from the
antechamber was violently burst open. A young woman entered hastily,
followed by two servants, who said to their master:--
Ferragus |
