Angels and Women (1924)

132 ANGELS AND WOMEN
moment and with his shield turned the
weapon away. At the Prophet’s narrow
escape I swooned and for some time was
unconscious.
Presently I recovered, and found myself
in the arms of my cousin, who, attracted by
the cries of Minerva, had discovered me as
I fell.
"Thou art cold and pale, beloved," said
Japheth in alarm; "thy form is rigid and thy
gaze fixed; thou wilt not soon leave me?
This cannot be thy death!" Then, suddenly
inspired, I answered--"Not in thy arms shall
I yield up my parting breath. In the last
hour of life I shall repose upon another
breast, but one so much resembling thee, O
Japheth!"
"Aloma," said he with awe, "hast thou,
like my father, a prophetic power?" And I
replied solemnly, "God knoweth."
I turned toward Minerva, and found her
engaged in discourse with the Prophet, who
unconscious of the attack upon his life (for