| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Bronte Sisters: my history, I must have told you all, in order to excuse my
conduct; and I might well shrink from such a disclosure, till
necessity obliged me to make it. But you forgive me? - I have done
very, very wrong, I know; but, as usual, I have reaped the bitter
fruits of my own error, - and must reap them to the end.'
Bitter, indeed, was the tone of anguish, repressed by resolute
firmness, in which this was spoken. Now, I raised her hand to my
lips, and fervently kissed it again and again; for tears prevented
any other reply. She suffered these wild caresses without
resistance or resentment; then, suddenly turning from me, she paced
twice or thrice through the room. I knew by the contraction of her
 The Tenant of Wildfell Hall |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mansion by Henry van Dyke: said the young man. "He always has something in view for us
and expects to move us up to it."
"But isn't it always for our benefit?" replied his mother.
"Look what a position we have. No one can say there is any taint
on
our money. There are no rumors about your father. He has kept
the laws of God and of man. He has never made any mistakes."
Harold got up from his chair and poked the fire. Then he came
back to
the ample, well-gowned, firm-looking lady, and sat beside her on
the sofa.
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