Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 115
strangely with the perfume of the tropical
night, but did not dispel the black, ominous
shadows moving noiselessly through this
paradise of sin.
At the further end of the balcony stood
the slaves in fixed immovability, and relieved
against that dark background, in the full
blaze of glory which streamed through the
archway, stood the white-robed stranger like
an angel of light. His earnest eyes met mine
with entreaty; his hand was half extended.
A sudden sense of the supreme importance
of the moment, a feeling that the golden
opportunity of my life was passing away,
that he would vanish in the darkness and be
lost forever, overpowered all reserve. Unmindful
of the exposed situation, of prying
eyes around, and of the danger that might
follow, after a moment of hesitation I bade
him approach. He came forward, and by a
manner composed and respectful at once
reassured me.
"Fair princess, you are Aloma, daughter