| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Confidence by Henry James: slanting, rough-paved German street.
"Are you taking care of us now?" she asked in a moment.
"Has the operation begun? Have you heard the news, mamma?"
she went on. "Do you know that Mr. Wright has made us
over to Mr. Longueville, to be kept till called for?
Suppose Mr. Wright should never call for us!"
Mrs. Vivian left her writing-table and came toward Bernard,
smiling at him and pressing her hands together.
"There is no fear of that, I think," she said.
"I am sure I am very glad we have a gentleman near us.
I think you will be a very good care-taker, Mr. Longueville,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Recruit by Honore de Balzac: "Ah! madame, he will come. He is not far off. I haven't a doubt he is
living, and on his way," replied Brigitte. "I put a key in the Bible,
and I held it on my fingers while Cottin read a chapter in the gospel
of Saint John; and, madame, the key never turned at all!"
"Is that a good sign?" asked the countess.
"Oh! madame, that's a well-known sign. I would wager my salvation, he
still lives. God would not so deceive us."
"Ah! if he would only come--no matter for his danger here."
"Poor Monsieur Auguste!" cried Brigitte, "he must be toiling along the
roads on foot."
"There's eight o'clock striking now," cried the countess, in terror.
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