Angels and Women (1924)

CHANGE 49
long time wakeful, and I repeated again and
again these words: "Enlighten mine eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of dearth." Presently my
thoughts became confused, and I passed into
the land of forgetfulness. Did any shadow
of coming evil flit across my dreams ? Alas l
it was the final hour of childhood, the last
untroubled slumber which would seal my
eyes; for before morning dawned, an event
occurred which dispelled all careless fantasy,
and changed forever the color and current
of my existence.
I slept I know not how long, when I was
startled by a flash of light, and perceived,
although the moon had set, that the air was
illumined by such an extraordinary brilliance
that my eyes involuntarily closed again.
:How can I relate what followed, incredible
even to myself, but which I know is only too
real ? I was powerless to move, and my eyes
were certainly closed; but by some new and
strange sight, I perceived standing directly
behind me two majestic beings, in form and