Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 155
coming to Balonia, I had always concealed
my head and bosom, removed the vest, and
loosening my hair, suffered it to flow to my
feet. How like it is to Samoula’s! I unbound
my sandals, and for a few moments
enjoyed the repose and freedom of solitude.
The Palace of Light overlooked the city, and
as my chamber was in the highest tower, no
intruding eye could violate its seclusion,
though the latticed door where I sat was
opened wide upon the small balcony to admit
the evening air.
"For the moment," I exclaimed, "I am
alone and safe, but oh, what danger and
wrath hang over the world l I hear advancing
footsteps. The Avenger hastens, the day
of woe is at hand. How great is our exposure
and peril l 0 my mother, we sleep
upon a volcano; we are curtained by stormclouds;
pitfalls and snares are beneath our
feet l How shall we escape destruction? 0
my God, how shall we escape ?"
Then, retiring to the shadow of the chain-