Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 177
they assumed strange, distorted shapes,
smoke and light issued from their nostrils as
they rapidly approached the Palace.
I grew terrified and turned to flee, when a
fearful sight held me motionless. On the
wall of the garden stood a dark and gloomy
form, whose features of deepest melancholy,
seen by sudden flashes of the Fire Fountain,
I recognized to be those of Hesperus. Satanas
also perceived him and springing forward,
he swung the sharp sword above
his head. "Traitor," he shouted, "mount upwards,
and receive thine honor and fortune 1"
"Traitor no longer," returned Hesperus;
"loyal at last to my rightful King."
With a howl of rage, Satanas disappeared
from view. I was soon aroused by the excited
entrance of our old servant, Aldeth, who began
in breathless terror, "My child, awful
omens have been seen. Scarce were the king
and queen seated at the banquet, when a
messenger (sent to inquire why the Homa
fountain had ceased to flow) came in haste