Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 99Instantly my thought reverted to thegroup I had seen upon the mountainside:the timber was for the building of Tebah;the patriarch was my father’s brother, theresemblance was not accidental; the sonswere my cousins; and the beautiful youthwhose gaze had, I fear, found in my eyes atoo responsive answer, was the youngest son,he of whom the woman spoke. Why did Itremble lest I was in error? Ignorant of myinterest in the family, she changed the subject,and with languid indifference said:"And are you not the daughter of the newqueen? She is surpassingly beautiful, accordingto report, though mature, and maynot hold sway longer than did the lastfavorite.""When did--the queen die ?" I inquired."I know not if she be dead; ’tis but amoon’s quarter since she drank the amaranthinecup, and was placed in the crypt ofNirvana. It is said that Lord Satanas canrecall those whom he places there, but I have