Angels and Women (1924)

136 ANGELS AND WOMEN
THIRD DAY AT BALONIA
I rose at dawn of day, and calling Aldeth
to accompany me, went forth to breathe the
fresh air of morn. This I knew would be
my last opportunity to walk the streets in
safety, for at noon the subordinate princes
with their retinues were expected at Balonia,
whither they had been summoned to pay the
annual tribute and take part in the ceremony
of the coronation. During their stay the city
will be filled with Darvands, who are without
the self-repression of their spirit-sires:
the earth is filled with violence through
them.
At that early hour the long corridors of
the Palace were silent. The court was
empty, and gave back a hollow echo to our
footsteps as we passed out through the eastern
gate. The city of Sin was asleep. The
intriguing brain, the heart throbbing with
anguish or anger, the hand of stealth, the feet
swift to pursue evil, must sometimes rest,
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