Angels and Women (1924)

CHANGE 55
longed for change and adventure. God forgive
my childish folly l
I left my chamber on the morning after the
dreadful day, with heavy heart and a vague
sense of disquiet and danger; my mother
came forward, embraced me with much affection,
and for a few moments we wept in
each other’s arms. Sensible of a flash of light
across my tired eyes, I raised them and saw
the Lord Satanas, magnificent and haughty,
standing near with a look of impatience, as
if the scene displeased him; the Devas had
not left the Hermitage. Not wishing to intrude
our grief upon strangers, I hastily
withdrew to the arbor study, hoping to remain
unobserved; but the dark Hesperus followed
me, saying--
"Aloma, I rejoice to behold your beauty,
yet your eyes are dim with weeping. Let not
grief overpower you; time will soothe this
sorrow and the days again be bright." These
words shocked and pained me, and when he
extended to me his hand--the hand that had