Angels and Women (1924)

CHANGE 57
but her natural reticence is increased by misfortune,
and I seldom obtain a confidential
response.
Aldeth shares my dismal forebodings.
One day, soon after the departure of the
Devas, she led me to the grape-arbor and
thus addressed me: "Aloma, I am alarmed
for Cheros. Since the death of your father
he is greatly changed. He scarcely eats or
sleeps; his life seems departing. He says
naught ! ’ but, ’Alas, my master! O my God
He is old now; I fear he will die; and I have
still more terrible fears.
"Our strange visitors, 1 love them not. It
is many years since we left Balonia, and since
I saw the transformed sons of God. But,
dear child, I fear that the beings who have
found the Hermitage are not men. Your
mother, fairest of women, was concealed
from the eyes of the Devas in this wilderness;
she has been discovered, and we are
safe no longer."
She clasped me in her aged arms, and ex-