Angels and Women (1924)

116 ANGELS AND WOMEN
of the queen. I am Japheth, son of the
Prophet. Hopelessly separated are we by
worldly distinctions, and yet the rapt purity
of your face, the simplicity of your dress, the
indifference or distaste you manifest to the
pageantry within, give token that by sympathy
we are not divided.
"Do you ask why I am voluntarily in
scenes where you appear only by compulsion?
Know, then, 0 beautiful stranger-forgive
my boldness--that I saw you in the
chariot of Satanas on the evening of your
entrance into Balonia, and the hope of meeting
you once more led me to enter the Palace,
and join an assembly whose character
and amusement my soul abhors. I dared not
hope to hold converse with you, and now
that I have the opportunity, with thronging
thoughts and desires I await your favor."
Hearing this, my heart revived, and I answered-"0
son of the Prophet, permit me
to make known my brief history. You called
my name rightly--Aloma--and I am the