Angels and Women (1924)

154 ANGELS AND WOMEN
destroy the life of Satanas, by fire and flood,
by steel and poison. His body is impervious,
his spirit-forged weapons irresistible. The
power and grandeur of the Darvands, nay
their very existence, depends upon the will
of the Devas. Therefore they yield outward
obedience, while within smoulder fires of
hatred and rebellion."
By this time we reached the Palace.
Minerva embraced me affectionately at parting,
and when I said, according to custom,
"God be with you," to my surprise she added
devoutly----"May it be so to the end."
As I entered my apartment, the voice of
Samoula summoned me to her chamber.
She was surrounded by admiring slaves
and tire-women, who were displaying for
her inspection and choice, elegant costumes
designed for the coronation. She
asked my approval of a robe so glittering
and transparent that it might have been
formed of woven sunbeams, and a veil of
similar texture, embroidered with minute