Angels and Women (1924)

80 ANGELS AND WOMEN
some hours the scenery and surroundings
were familiar: dense forest, over arching
trees, and blossoms like those of the Hermitage.
Presently we emerged into a vast
plain, where no trees obstructed the light
along our pathway. At a distance were cities
glimmering in the light. In the near cornfields
and vineyards laborers toiled at their
tasks and looked up with stealthy glance as
our train passed by.
Night was now approaching. The journey
which had occupied Allimades four days
had been performed by the fleet elephants
in a few hours. We were drawing near
Balonia. During our progress the voices of
Satanas and Samoula were often heard in
earnest conversation, but with sense absorbed
in our new changeful surroundings,
and preoccupied with conjecture as to an inscrutable
future, I gave little heed to their
discourse.
As I seriously meditated my mind became
enlightened and many doubtful matters were